The Forum brought together in Pretoria participants from 15 countries in southern Africa, and among them were representatives of governments, industry, civil society and academia.
Global Child Forum is an independent global platform gathering world leading stakeholders for discussions and knowledge sharing in regards to children’s rights.
This forum was started by the King and Queen of Sweden in 2009 and it is the first time that the conference is held in South Africa.
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| http://globalchildforum.org/ |
On 7 September, the evening before the Forum, as first official engagement Sofia attended a reception at the Embassy of Sweden.
Sofia on her first engagement as Princess of Sweden at a reception in Pretoria, South Africa, at the Swedish embassy pic.twitter.com/2U3OwBOiu3
— Me and the Royals (@Like_aPrincess2) 7 Settembre 2015
The Princess wore a dress by Armani, the same worn for official photos after the engagement with Prince Carl Philip |
| expressen.se |
The focus of this Forum was on the creation of partnerships and sustainability to protect the rights of children in South Africa.
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| kungahuset.se |
Princess Sofia of Sweden in Pretoria, South Africa for the Global Child Forum pic.twitter.com/svcIeAaN73
— Me and the Royals (@Like_aPrincess2) 8 Settembre 2015
Providing jobs for a growing population is a pressing challenge facing the developing world. #gcfpretoria @vernormu pic.twitter.com/fJYDe2talI
— Plan RESA (@PlanRESA) 8 Settembre 2015
Sofia has also given a beautiful and meaningful speech, she was a little shaken by the emotion but it was awesome, clear, definite and secure the importance of her message:"As long as children suffer, we have work to do!...."
"There are still clear violations of the rights of the child and it's important to engage all sectors of the society, including governments, businesses, the civil society and don't forget the local NGO's and children themselves. And the main challenge is that all sectors think and work differently, that's why it's crucial to gather everyone and take actions together....."
"I think that everybody can contribute in their own way and do something,...."
"Despite the daily reports on disasters around the world, I think that at the same time so much good is already done. I think it is important to mention that we are on the right path. Democracy is spreading and poverty is reducing....."
"Every time a child is suffering, we have a responsibility to make a difference....""And I will end my speech with a question to all of you: What action can you do as a professional and as a person to make a positive impact on a child’s life?"
- Princess Sofia at the Global Child Forum in South Africa
You can read the entire text of the speech in English HERE
Before she joined the royal family, Sofia was volunteered in South Africa, Senegal and Ghana, she founded children's charity the Project Playground.
Prince Carl Philip has been involved with Project Playground since its founding and was a member of the board between 2010 and 2015. Today Sofia is Honorary Chairperson of the board.
The charity, which she established with a friend, aims to support underprivileged children in South Africa by providing meals, counsel and recreational activities such as football and weekends away.
Sofia worked as the charity's secretary general until April of this year, just two months before she tied the knot with Carl Philip in a spectacular royal wedding.
Princess Sofia's older sister Lina still works as a project coordinator.
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