The first cohort of the GNRC Country Communications Associates (GCCAs) was inducted into the GNRC network on 17^th August 2022 at a hybrid meet-and-greet session with the GNRC Secretariat. The meeting was to familiarize the GCCAs with the Secretariat staff and further deepen their understanding of their roles. The GCCAs were drawn from ten countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Comoros, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Lebanon, Palestine, and Pakistan.

GNRC country coordinators selected the GCCAs to focus on the Network’s visibility and profile on various social media channels. GCCAs highlight GNRC work at the grassroots level and content relating to children’s wellbeing. 

Ms. Stacy Ndung’u, GNRC Communications Manager, welcomed the participants. She commended the GCCAs for their commitment to the Network, appreciating their work and service. Ms. Stacy further shared informed them that the GNRC secretariat was planning to conduct branding guidelines training for the team. Ms. Tracy Memusi, Communications Support, gave updates on the progress the GCCAs had made. She commended their work and encouraged the GCCAs to continue serving the children in interfaith dialogue and action. 

The GCCAs made recommendations on how to increase the visibility of GNRC on social media. 

The GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Yusuf Ali, thanked the GCCAs and welcomed them to the GNRC network. He encouraged the GCCAs to contribute to the vision of the GNRC of building a better, peaceful, and just world for children and young people.

GNRC Lebanon Committee was launched on 8^th June 2022 via an online event attended by a total of eighteen (18) participants from different faiths including Christianity, Islam, and Druze. 

Anthony Saade, a GNRC Youth committee member shared the activities that have been implemented in the efforts of the GNRC Lebanon to end violence against children. He pointed out that GNRC Lebanon is working closely with children by creating a safe space for them to share some of the challenges they face. 

Fr. Abro Raad, GNRC Coordinator for Lebanon shared some of the challenges that the country is currently facing, highlighting that those challenges negatively affected the education of children in Lebanon.

Dr. Ali commended the GNRC Lebanon members for their continued efforts in building a safe world for children despite the challenges they are facing. He encouraged them to continue working towards creating a better world for children. Dr. Mustafa then, officially launched the GNRC Network and committee.

GNRC Pakistan was launched on 27th July 2022, in Lahore, Pakistan, at a ceremony that brought together twenty-nine (29) participants; among them, GNRC Pakistan committee members, led by the Coordinator Mr. Iftikhar Mubarik and representatives from different organizations and faith traditions namely, Islam and Christianity. Children were also represented.

The event began with a recital of the Holy Quran by Mr. Arshad Abbasi, followed by prayers from Pastor Saleem Khokhar. Mr. David Paul, GNRC Pakistan Co-Coordinator, opened the event by welcoming the participants and giving an overview of the activities implemented by GNRC Pakistan. All the activities mentioned aim to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and harmful practices.

In his opening remarks, the GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, appreciated GNRC Pakistan’s work towards strengthening and reinvigorating the Network and congratulated them on launching the committee. 

Pastor Saleem Khokhar appreciated the establishment of the GNRC Pakistan committee, stating that religious communities need similar platforms that can help build knowledge and skills to deal with violence, abuse, and exploitation of children. 

Ms. Rashida Qureshi, a committee member, reiterated GNRC’s commitment to creating safe spaces for children to learn, explore, and express themselves without fear. She also emphasized the need to engage children in actions for child protection to ensure that GNRC Pakistan is working towards the meaningful participation of children in all its matters. 

Sheral, a child member of GNRC Pakistan, shared that every child has a right to live free from all forms of violence and abuse. “There is a need to empower children through consistent efforts so that they can identify the various types of violence and abuse and be able to react in such difficult situations,” she said. 

Dr. Mustafa pronounced the GNRC Pakistan committee officially launched and wished participants the best in their work towards a world free of child violence.

GNRC Comoros Committee was launched on 30^th June 2022 at a hybrid event, attended by a total of twenty-nine (29) participants, among them GNRC Comoros committee members, faith leaders, children and GNRC Coordinators from other countries under the leadership of the Country Coordinator, Mr. Said M’Changama Akim. 

Oustadh Safari Mohamed a member of GNRC committee, gave a brief history of the GNRC anchor organization in Comoros, that was started in 2015 and works to ensure the well-being of children in the country.  He thanked Arigatou International for continued support. 

Speaking during the launch, the GNRC coordinator Comoros, Mr. Akim highlighted some of the forms of violence that children face in the coastal regions of Comoros such as physical, psychological abuse and early marriages among others. He urged all the stakeholders involved to join hands and work together to eliminate these social norms. “Our activities are directed to supporting vulnerable children especially victims of sexual abuse,” he said.

Some of the collaborations that they have formed include a close work relationship with the mainstream media and social media influencers to create public awareness against sexual abuse and identifying other forms of child exploitation. He mentioned that children are given a priority in their Network so that they can learn to be responsible and to know their rights. 

GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali thanked and commended GNRC Comoros for their continued work and commitment to children. He pronounced GNRC Comoros Committee launched in the presence of faith leaders, children and members.