The Rt. Hon. Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia has urged Zambians to listen to and respect the diverse voices and viewpoints of various people in the communities including those of the children. He was speaking during the launch of the 1.5 Kilometre long painting themed the ‘Journey in History’ at the Parliament Buildings.
The painting which was made by 2000 children from all the ten Provinces of Zambia and sponsored by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, and other cooperating partners, will be exhibited at the Parliament Buildings from 17th March, 2015 to 20th March, 2015.
“We are unique persons and social beings, sharing time and space and we all have our own imaginative and indeed practical contributions to make our communities” he added.
Hon. Dr. Matibini also said, art was a communication and a way of expressing ones emotions and processing feelings and experiences.
“Equally important, art and craft allow children to gain self confidence, belief in their abilities and to learn through play” he said.
He told the policy makers that were present at the launch to always listen to children as the policies that were formulated were meant to better the lives of children.
Speaking at the same event, Zamtel Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mupanga Mwanakatwe said, the painting, which was done by children under the age of 15 years on average was a great symbol of innovation and imagination, which according to him were hallmarks of the telecommunications industry.
He said, the artistic work was an assurance that the National History of the country was in safe hands and would not be easily lost despite the high tech generation that people lived in.
And the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia, Mrs. Doris Mwinga thanked the Parliamentary Caucus on Children, PCC, for taking an active role in advocating for the rights of children in Zambia.
She implored Honorable Members to continue engaging children on various platforms in order to encourage them to become better citizens.
The Journey in History project was started in 2013 as part of the commemoration of Zambia’s Jubilee celebrations and tells a story of the history of Zambia and children’s rights.