1. Introduction The Experience Sharing Forum on the Implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was organized by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) in Mauritius on 27-29 September 2017. 2. Attendance The Forum was attended by three members of the ACERWC, Representatives of Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Tanzania, Tunisia, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Swaziland, as well as representatives of the Regional Economic Communities (East African Community) and Network of African National Human Rights Institutions. Partners such as Plan International, International Committee of the Red Cross, African Child Policy Forum, World Vision International, Save the Children, Equality Now, AfriChild, ECPAT International and Graca Machel Trust participated in the Forum. 3. Opening ceremony 3.1. Opening speech by the representative of the ACERWC The Forum was graced with the opening remarks of Mr Joseph NDAYISENGA, 2nd Chairperson of the ACERWC. He started his speech by expressing gratitude for the Government of Mauritius for its willingness to host the Forum. Mr NDAYISENGA highlighted that the African Children’s Charter is the only regional instrument devoted for children. Despite this, he underlined that there is a significant gap in the ratification of, reporting on, and implementation of the Charter. Mr NDAYISENGA alluded to the fact that Forums like these give insights for States about the possible measures they can take to foster child protection. He also mentioned that the Forum aims at inspiring States to ratify report on, and implement the Charter. Mr NDAYISENGA further reported that the ACERWC developed Agenda 2040 which has been adopted by the Executive Council of the African Union and called upon States to consider this Agenda (2040) in the implementation of children’s rights in their respective countries. Moreover, he mentioned that the ACERWC will launch its Continental Study on the Impact of Conflict and Crisis on Children in Africa during the Forum. Mr NDAYISENGA finally stressed that the welfare of children is in our hands and that investing in children today is investing in Africa’s tomorrow. 3|Page