The echoes of children’s voices were loud and clear as they recited slogans that denounced all forms of violence against them.

This was at the 5th National Children’s Summit, an annual meeting held at Serena Hotel Kigali, that brought together national leaders, children representatives from the 416 sectors of the country, as well as the five representatives from each East African Community (EAC) member state.

President Paul Kagame officiated the function and said the children and youth of EAC are the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Kagame said that, "Children are not just leaders of today but are leaders of tomorrow.”

For that reason, he said, "children must be given an opportunity and must be given that right to participate in all matters that affect the nation and affect them as they grow up to take up responsibility as leaders.”

The role of children in fighting violence perpetrated against them was the focus of this year’s discussion.

Kagame said that the country puts emphasis on the rights of children, through education and protection from any forms of violence.

"You are very important for this country; you are the future of this country and the world,” the president said.

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