various cross border issues, some which are injurious to their health and wellbeing. Children are vulnerable to abuses that are worsened by insecurity, HIV and conflict. Children experience neglect, exploitation, trafficking, family separation, early marriage and harmful cultural practices that significantly affects their development. He noted that the EAC recognizes the importance of investing in children and protecting them and therefore have adopted policies to address children’s issues. The EAC child and youth policies provide a framework for harmonizing laws and policies and address children’s issues across borders. One of the main challenges is that when children cross borders and their rights are violated, it is unclear which law prevails. There is a need to harmonize laws across the EAC Partner States so that children can be protected by these laws. It is only through working with policy makers and other stakeholders that region can ensure that children are safe and can thrive. He further emphasized that within the EAC and in Africa as a whole, services targeted at children should be prioritized and enabling environments ensured through strong child protection systems that aim to extend love and protection so that we can ensure their development. Mr. Niyonzima concluded his remarks by calling upon the African Union in collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities to establish mechanisms for the protection of Children across the different borders and within the East African Community. 3.0. Presentations and discussions on Agenda 2040 3.1. Presentation on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) – Samrawit Getaneh and Ayelaw Getachew Asseffa The focus of the presentation, as introduced by Mr. Ayelaw Getachew, was ensure that the ACERWC and all participants would build relationships between themselves and other key actors in the EAC to promote and fulfill children’s rights. He emphasised the importance of having a harmonised, structured and coordinated response to the issues that affect children on the African Continent and particularly in the East African Community. Ms. Samrawit Getaneh presented an overview of the Charter and the ACERWC as well as the prominent child rights issues within the EAC. She explained that the Charter was adopted in 1990 and eventually came into force in 1999. It was created to address omissions and gaps in the process and content of the UNCRC. Currently it has been ratified by 48 countries on the Continent. The presentation shared the four cardinal principles underpinning the African Charter and explained there is more of an emphasis on Article 4 – The Best Interests of the Child. The Charter recognizes the evolving capacity of children and also while it gives children rights it also states they have responsibilities. The ACERWC comprises of 11 experts across the Continent that serves as the monitoring mechanism. Their role is: 1. Consideration of State Party Reports; 2. Receiving communication about child rights violations; 3. Developing General Comments to provide interpretation of articles within the Charter. 4. Carrying out investigative fact finding and advocacy missions. 5. Advocating for the ratification of the Charter and