age and his abilities and subject to the restrictions contained in this Charter has the duty to: - work towards family cohesion, respect his parents, his superiors and older persons by all circumstances and assist them where necessary; - serve the national community by placing his physical and intellectual abilities at its disposal; - preserve and strengthen the solidarity of the society and the nation; - preserve and strengthen African cultural values in his relationships with other members of the society in the spirit of tolerance, dialogue and consultation, to contribute to moral wellbeing of the society; - preserve and strengthen national independence and the integrity of his country; - contribute to the best of his abilities and in all circumstances and at all levels to promote and attain African unity”. 367. This provision is repeated in Article 21 of the Child Protection Code of 5 June 2002. 368. The traditional African education that parents generally provide their children naturally imposes on the latter a number of duties both to their own parents and to the family and the entire community. 369. The observation of a good conduct of the child towards his parents and all other members of the family, the respect due to elderly persons and his superiors are generally rules which are taught by parents and the African society to children. The Malian legislation on the child is also replete with this code of conduct. 370. In the face of the constant disintegration of families and family relations, of the lack of parental authority vis-à-vis their children, the lack of time that parents have for the education of their children, all such things that breach the moral values of our society, and which as a consequence, dangerously affect the sense of responsibility and duty of citizens, the Government of Mali, through the Ministry of Women, Children and Family Affairs has established by Decree No. 06-282/P-RM of 11 July 2006, the National Council on Family Affairs The mandate of the Council is to make proposals concerning the general policy of the family, propose all measures relating to the improvement of conditions and the status of the family and to provide advisory opinion relating to family affairs which are then submitted to the Minister responsible for family affairs. 73

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