Date
On 16 June each year but dates may changeTime
08AM-12PM WAT | 09AM-1PM CAT/SAT | 10AM-2PM EAT (time may change)Theme
Current theme: TBC Previous themes 2025: A 14-Year Legacy of policy and practice: Investing in Child Rights through responsive budgetingHashtags
#DACC #DayOfTheAfricanChild #InternationalDayOfTheAfricanChildBelow are the posters to share. Pin on notice boards, share on social media and send via emails. Print and post.
2026 posters: to be added.
2025 posters
Day of the African Child (DAC) 2025
Introduction
The Day of the African Child (DAC) was launched by the Assembly of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1991 to be commemorated on 16 June each year. The DAC pays tribute to the 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, which resulted in the killings of students who demonstrated against the poor quality of education they received and demanding to be taught in their own language by the apartheid regime. Over the years, the Day has been an opportunity for all stakeholders and actors involved in the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Africa to come together, to consolidate common goals and to tackle the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving an Africa fit for its children.
As guardian of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC/Committee) has spearheaded the commemoration of the DAC since 2002. The ACERWC is an Organ of the African Union established in accordance with articles 32 and 33 of the ACRWC mandated to promote and protect the rights and welfare of the child in Africa and monitor its implementation. Each year, the Committee identifies a relevant theme for the Day, which is further adopted by the Executive Council of the AU, organizes and coordinates activities and events to commemorate the Day at continental level.
The purpose of this concept note is to provide guidance to Member States on the main objectives of the theme, and the various measures that should be undertaken by States in the celebration of the theme. The Committee notes that the DAC provides an opportunity for children, Member States, policy makers, organisations and other stakeholders on the continent working on children’s issues to review and evaluate efforts, policies and programmes aimed to protect and promote children’s rights considering the theme. The DAC is called for serious introspection and commitment to addressing the many challenges facing African children.
For previous themes and the current concept note, please visit: https://www.acerwc.africa/en/page/about-day-african-child
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
For you to get a chance to present, you will need to submit an abstract. An abstract is a statement that introduces a report, article or research in a summarised way. Submit abstract to asw@africasocialwork.net before 30 May each year. You can also submit via Google form. Please follow these guidelines:-
- Your abstract should have a title.
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- Your name, email and institution and college level (if available).
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- The abstract paragraph should have an opening sentence introducing the topic, clarification of the research gap\questions/needs/purpose, methods used to collect data (e.g. personal experience, stories, photo taking, family interviews, baliano, literature review, documents, social media), summary of the data or findings, conclusions reached and recommendations or implications.
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- Abstract should be 200 words long – single paragraph and no sub-headings.
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- Abstract should report academic or no-academic research that has already been done or that will be completed before 14 June each year OR could be based on your experience or reflections at home, in the community, at university, during placement.
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- There should be no references in the abstract.
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- Prioritise African philosophy, theories, sources of knowledge and research methods.
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- Africa research methods can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/research/
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- African theories can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/african-theories-of-social-work/
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- African philosophy can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/african-philosophy/
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- Ubuntu (Africa’s philosophy) – https://africasocialwork.net/ubuntu-database/
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- Prioritise African philosophy, theories, sources of knowledge and research methods.
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- It is ok to write the abstract in your own language, to use words from any African language in the abstract, title or key words.
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- Add 5-8 key words – all key words must be used in the abstract paragraph.
ABSTRACT REVIEW GUIDES
There is a table and text reviewer guide, they are all acceptable.TABLE GUIDE
INSTRUCTIONS: You can give qualitative comments or quantitative ratings or both. The outcomes are the same for both – Accept, Revise or Reject. For quantitative ratings, abstract that’s cores 0-3 marks will be rejected, 4-6 will be revised by authors and reviewed again, 7-10 will be accepted. You can put comments in the table . Click to get Word version of Reviewer guidelines SOCIAL WORK and DEVELOPMENT STUDENT CONFERENCE.TEXT GUIDE
INSTRUCTIONS: Put your feedback comments or ratings at the end of each point.- Your abstract should have relevant, concise and original title, your full name, email and institution and college level (if available).
- The abstract paragraph should have an opening sentence introducing the topic, aim or objectives, clarification of the research gap\questions/needs/purpose, methods used to collect data (e.g. personal experience, stories, photo taking, family interviews, baliano, literature review, documents, social media), methods, procedures and tools for data analysis, summary of the data and findings proving there is sufficient for presentation, relevant conclusions reached and recommendations or implications and potential impact for policy, practice, teaching, learning and further research.
- Abstract should be between 100 and 200 words long – single paragraph and no sub-headings.
- Abstract should report research that has already been done or that will be completed before the conference or could be based on your experience or reflections at home, in the community, at university, during placement.
- There should be no references in the abstract.
- It is ok to write in your language, to use words from any African language, including the title or key words.
- Add 5-8 key words – all key words must be appearing in the abstract paragraph.
- Prioritise African philosophy, theories, sources of knowledge and research methods
- Other criteria: potential impact of findings, trustworthiness of research process, limitations, conflict of interest declared
- Any other feedback
🪘 PowerPoint slide-making guide
(For a 10-minute presentation)
🧭 1. Plan for time before hand
- For a 10-minute presentation, use no more than 12 slides.
- 8 slides for full discussion (spend 1 minute per slide, but can spend less and longer in others but not more than 2 minutes per slide)
- 4 slides that you show briefly in passing or speak to for not less than 30 seconds.
🌀2. Slide design basics
- Font size 24 throughout.
- Make headings bold, the rest not bold unless who want to show emphasis.
- Use dark fonts on light backgrounds, or vice versa, for visibility.
- Aim for one visual element per slide (photo, drawing, chart, quote etc.).
- Keep text minimal – use bullet points or keywords.
📑 3. Slide structure
- Slide 1 – Cover slide – title, your name, affiliation, conference name and date.
- Slide 2 – Overview slide – outline of topics. if you have any conflict of interest, mention here or slide 1.
- Slides 3–10 – Main content slides – your discussion points.
- Slide 11 – Summary slide – key points and conclusions or Thank you slide.
- Slide 12 – References list slide – full list of cited works.
🪮 4. Content tips
- Stick to your main theme and stay relevant throughout.
- Always create your key points first instead of asking AI to create for you – if you use AI, revise outputs so that you remain the thinker or author.
- Place citations within slides (e.g. Amadasun, 2021, Okoye, 2024).
- Avoid information overload – one idea per slide is best.
🎭 5. Visuals and images
- Choose images that are respectful, decolonising, accurate, and culturally appropriate.
- If discussing African or Black communities, use images of Black people.
- Avoid inappropriate or stereotypical internet photos.
- It is best to use images you have taken or created yourself (drawings, photos, diagrams).
- Don’t be shy about using African visuals and cultural representation – they are part of valid, rich academic storytelling.
- Ask the organisers for the conference logo, official images, and theme colours or branding to include in your slides – it helps align your presentation with the event.
👍🏿 6. Presenting with confidence
- Anticipate questions and be ready with answers.
- Stay calm if technology fails – have a backup like a PDF or printed handout.
- Smile and connect with your audience – your presence matters.
- Dress appropriately for your setting – it shows respect for your work and the audience.
- Try, test or learn the technology used for the presentation beforehand.
- Sit in a space or room without noise or distractions.
- have a good internet connection.
- It is good practice to keep your video on while presenting.
The current program will be put below when available
PROGRAMME_DACC25_Final (pdf)
PROGRAMME_DACC25_Final (Docx)
The Organising Committee
Lwazi Mavuso, Eswatini, Master of Social Work, UKZN, South Africa
Chairperson
Tatenda Sukulao, Student, Master of Social Work, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
Vice-Chairperson
Willard Muntanga, Student, Great Zimbabwe University, MSC Peace Leadership and Governance Studies, Zimbabwe
Secretary
Danzel Rademan, Student, Bachelor of Social Work, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, South Africa
Member, Past Chairperson
Atuhairwe Collins, Student, Master of Social Work, Makerere University, Uganda
Member, Past Vice-Chairperson
Never Winnie James Sebit, South Sudan; Student, Bachelor in Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, India
Member, Past Secretary
Norman T. Manyika, Student, Bachelor of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Committee member
Takudzwa Banda, Student, Bachelor of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
Committee member
Ighalo Jennifer Benita, social work student, University of Benin, Nigeria
Committee Member
Christabel Okoroafor, Student, University of Nigeria, Bachelor of Social Work, Nigeria
Committee member
Haggai Muchapondwa, Bachelor of Social Work, Zimbabwe ezekiel Guti University, Zimbabwe
Committee member
Ziyandiswa Fono
Committee member
Devotion Mahamba, Student, Master of Social Work, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
Committee member
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