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Thousands of people around the world are getting ready to take part in events to mark Day of the African Child on June 16.

Youth campaigners and A World at School partners have organised more than 100 events in over 40 countries.

They include a Youth Takeover of the African Union in Addis Adaba, Ethiopia, involving young people from all countries on the continent.

Other events in this massive youth mobilisation include marches, rallies, plays and film screenings.

Day of the African Child is observed on June 16 each year in honour of the in apartheid South Africa.

This yearÂ鶹APP™s Day of the African Child comes as the world continues to be horrified by the kidnapping of more than 250 girls from their school in Chibok, Nigeria.

Events are being held worldwide to mark Day of the African Child

Attacks on education Â鶹APP“ and on students for simply wanting to go to school Â鶹APP“ are devastating communities across Africa.

This yearÂ鶹APP™s events will hammer home the message that safe, quality schools are needed for children everywhere.

The biggest event is the Youth Takeover of the African Union by 500 young people. There will also be a 4km run around the African Union headquarters by 1000 young people Â鶹APP“ to symbolise the fact we are running out of time to deliver the Millennium Development Goal of education for all by the end of 2015. 

Camila Urbina held an event in Colombia on June 6. She said: Â鶹APPœThe advocacy event was an opportunity to touch hearts and inspire young minds to speak up and let the force of youth be felt.

Â鶹APPœTo mobilise girls with education opportunities was to ignite the spark of change, one young heart at a time.Â鶹APP�

Camila said girls aged 12 to 18 from one of the best schools in the country took part in the event. The aim was to make them aware of the need for them to speak up for all children in Colombia and around the world who do not go to school.

She added: Â鶹APPœThe girls were really excited and participated actively in a social media campaigning, made signs and pledged to expand the message of the importance of education with their friends and families.Â鶹APP�

Safe, quality schools are needed for all children in Africa. Picture: Pax Christi Uvira asbl

Other youth events taking place on Day of the African Child and the rest of June include:

Brazil Â鶹APP“ a Youth Takeover of City Hall in Rio de Janeiro

Nepal Â鶹APP“ a childrenÂ鶹APP™s play about education

Nigeria Â鶹APP“ a rally held by the teachers union with one of A World at SchoolÂ鶹APP™s Global Youth Ambassadors

Ghana Â鶹APP“ a public march for global edcuation led by a Gobal Youth Ambassador

Sudan Â鶹APP“ a series of youth events and meetings on education including a Global Youth Ambassador leading a public screening of the A World at School video Girls With Books

Bangladesh Â鶹APP“ a rally with 500 indigenous, marginalised and non-indigenous youths

Macedonia Â鶹APP“ a meeting on safety in schools involving school student councils, school management, local authorities, police and social work

Pakistan Â鶹APP“ a Day of the African Child conference 

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