In partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and support from the Delegation of the European Union to Libya, UNICEF launches the “Child Friendly Municipality Award” during a ceremony held in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

In addition to the recognition of the positive contribution and dedication of the municipality in promoting child rights and well-being of children, the award will create a positive competition among different municipalities to deliver for the children in Libya.

“The Child Friendly Municipality Award aims to promote municipalities to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child which has been ratified by Libya in 1993,” said Dr Ghassan Khalil, UNICEF Special Representative in Libya. “I would like today from Tripoli to invite the municipalities to announce their self-nomination for the 2018 award,” he added.

“I welcome the engagement of the Ministry of Local Government in this initiative. Young generations are the most precious resource of the country, investing in children means investing in Libya’s future,” said Ms. Maria do Valle Ribeiro, United Nations Deputy SRSG, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya.  

In her speech during the event, H. E. Ms Bettina Muscheidt Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Libya affirmed that "there is a long standing commitment from the EU in supporting child development in Libya and that the EU has been helping thousands of boys and girls in accessing education, recreational and psychosocial services." 

H.E. Mr. Badad Abdel Jalil, Minister of Local Government declared that “the selection of the winning municipality will be done through an independent selection committee which will include prominent Libyan civil society representatives and child rights, youth development, and education Libyan experts.”