Event : 25 November 2025
Reflecting its deep commitment to human rights and global peace initiatives, the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences at Ibn Tofail University organized a significant scientific symposium on Tuesday. The event focused on the “Rabat Declaration” concerning the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) of child soldiers.
A Strategic Partnership for Child Protection
The symposium was held in collaboration with the International Research Center on the Prevention of Child Soldiers. This academic initiative aligns with the outcomes of the first African Ministerial Conference on DDR, positioning the university as a central platform for analyzing and supporting international efforts to end the recruitment of children in armed conflicts.
Core Focus: The Rabat Declaration
Discussions centered on the legal and political frameworks established by the Rabat Declaration, which serves as a roadmap for African nations. Key themes included:
- Disarmament and Demobilization: Legal mechanisms to ensure the safe extraction of children from armed groups.
- Socio-Economic Reintegration: The psychological and social challenges involved in returning former child soldiers to their communities.
- Prevention Strategies: The role of academic research in identifying early warning signs of child recruitment in conflict zones.
University Leadership in Human Rights
Participants, including research professors and international experts, emphasized that hosting this symposium underscores the university’s role in enlightening the academic community on Morocco’s leading diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives. The “Rabat Declaration” represents a Moroccan vision that prioritizes child dignity and rights amidst the security challenges facing the African continent.
“This symposium acts as a bridge between political decision-making and academic analysis, allowing our students and researchers to grasp the real-world stakes of Moroccan human rights diplomacy.”
This academic event aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by advocating for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions through its focus on ending violence against children and supporting disarmament frameworks. Furthermore, it advances Quality Education by fostering specialized legal knowledge and human rights awareness within the student body, while exemplifying Partnerships for the Goals through the successful cooperation between the academic institution and the international research center.