Children as effective change agents: the case of school health clubs in the promotion of urban sanitation and hygiene: paper presented at the East Africa practioners workshop on pro-poor urban sanitation and hygiene, Laico Umbano Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda.

Children in Africa are widely perceived to be potential resources for social protection and economic attainment, but at the same time acknowledged as vulnerable dependants awaiting provision and guidance on what to do. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1999), Uganda’s Children’s Act (1997) and other related instruments acknowledge this vulnerability and assert equal rights for all children irrespective of age, physical ability, race, gender or economic status. The right to education and good health are some of the areas emphasized. These instruments however tend to emphasize children’s vulnerability and overlook the ability of children as agents of change. [authors abstract]

This three-day workshop aims to identify proven good practices in the sanitation and hygiene sector, as well as drawing lessons from failures to enter into the policy dialogue. It focuses on urban sanitation with an emphasis on learning and innovation in the sector. It was organised by : UNICEF, GTZ, WSSCC, WaterAid and IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, and hosted by the Rwandan Ministry of Health.