The United Nations Development System in Morocco announced on Thursday in Rabat the designation of Ghizlane Benjelloun as the 2024 UN Personality in Morocco, in honor of United Nations Day. This recognition highlights her longstanding dedication to children's mental health and advocacy for their rights, according to a press release from United Nations Morocco. «All UN agencies based in the Kingdom of Morocco recognize, through this award, the passionate commitment of a woman to the young Moroccan generations and their well-being», stated Nathalie Fustier, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development System in Morocco. She emphasized that today's children are tomorrow's changemakers, carrying hope for a better future. Ghizlane Benjelloun expressed her gratitude for the honor, dedicating it to «every child and adult fighting for children's rights, as their future and that of society depend on our ability to prioritize their mental well-being». A certificate will be presented to Benjelloun by Eric Falt, Acting Resident Coordinator of the UN in Morocco and Regional Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb. Ghizlane Benjelloun serves as Vice-President of the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (ONDE) and is a member of various boards, including the International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR) and the European Association for Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (AEPEA). An academic and international expert, she is also a professor of higher education in child psychiatry and leads the Child Psychiatry Department at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca. Known for her compassionate approach, Benjelloun has actively engaged public and private actors in initiatives aimed at supporting children's well-being and preventing psychological disorders in childhood, the statement adds. The UN Personality of the Year award, introduced to coincide with United Nations Day (October 24), celebrates civic engagement by recognizing individuals who exemplify UN values and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative aims to inspire and raise public awareness by showcasing individuals whose actions drive positive change in society.
