REMARKS OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE CHANCELLOR OF KABARAK UNIVERSITY AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 3RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MOOT COURT COMPETITION ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AT KABARAK UNIVERSITY

Abstract

I welcome you all to Kabarak University. At Kabarak University, we believe and invest in quality education. A forum of this nature goes a long way in enhancing the quality of education of our students. I am pleased to know that students from the East African region have come together to share their knowledge and experiences as well as to benefit from the guidance of professionals and experts in the law profession. 2 I also understand that within the framework of this forum, students from the various universities in the East African region will compete on a hypothetical case on various aspects of the rights of children. It is this kind of competition that I describe as healthy. In a competition of this nature, there are no losers. You are all winners. This is because all of you will acquire a lot of knowledge from your peers and instructors. The East African Community which I played an instrumental role in formulating envisioned this kind of 3 interaction among its citizens. As students, you have a critical role to play in making the dream of the East African Community a reality. Involvement in interactions of this nature will go a long way in making the dream of a fully integrated East Africa a reality. I do appreciate the involvement of Kabarak University, other law schools in East Africa, and Save the Children International in enhancing the stature and sustainability of this program which upholds the children’s rights. 4 5 I have found the theme of this year’s event “Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children: Our Collective Responsibility” to be particularly interesting. African Children continue to face serious challenges some of which threaten their very survival. As members of the academic community, you have a duty to provide solutions to these challenges. At Kabarak we are keen to host you, not just this year but for years to come to give you an opportunity to supply long lasting and practical solutions to the challenges that confront the African child in particular. In terms of vision, since this event is meant to coincide with the annual theme of the day of the African Child, I envisage a future where this event will bring together students not just from the East African region but from the entire continent of African. I am sure there is a lot more that you will learn by bringing on board students from other regions on the African continent as a whole. If there is anything we can do as Kabarak University to make this vision a reality, kindly bring it to our attention. 6 I wish to appreciate the contribution of Save the Children International – Kenya for providing the critical financing that has facilitated this event. I wish to encourage them to continue with this and other initiatives. I wish you a wonderful stay at Kabarak University. Feel free to enjoy our serene learning environment. I know the staff and students of Kabarak University will extend our warm hospitality to all of you to make your brief stay positively memorable. 7 Ladies and gentlemen, with those few remarks, I declare the Third Annual Conference and Moot Court Competition at Kabarak University officially opened.