National Level Follow-up to the
UN General Assembly Special Session on Children,
January 30, 2002
[return to  WGRC ]

GOVERNMENT ACTIONS

[Index follows at end of document]

ALBANIA:

A National Plan was prepared prior to the UNGASS meeting and was presented there as an outcome of the Albanian Government and its policies related to children. NGO’s participated actively in the preparation of the National Strategy for Children in Albania, especially CRCA.
-The Children’s Human Rights Center of Albania

It seems like the government has not taken any concrete steps to implement the commitments made at the Special Session. This is due to many political changes over the course of the year. The president Meidani left his mandate after he participated in the UNGASS. But it seems that things are moving regarding to the Millennium Development Goals and this is quite a good sign, as most of them are similar to the World fit for children.

It seems there is real commitment of the Government and civil society in Albania regarding the poverty reduction strategy. Albania Children Alliance has been actively involved in the process and of course it is its plans to advocate on this purpose.
-PLAN Albania

The government is in the preliminary steps. The government has only reviewed the existing structure of the governmental body which dealt with children rights and is working on the terms of references for the new structure. We do not know what the scope of work will be for the new body that the government has established.

Discussions were held in the Council of Ministers as the changes to build the new structure involved several ministries where the main responsible ministry was the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
-World Vision Albania

ARMENIA

Several follow up meetings were organized and held with the involvement of youth and NGOs. What is very important for the ARS as a co-moderator of the Children's Rights Disability Caucus is that the disability NGOs of Armenia and the youth have a voice and active role in the design of the NPA
- Armenian Relief Society

AUSTRIA

Intention for follow-up consultations was expressed initially during and after UNGASS, particularly by Foreign and Social Ministry officials, and there was some discussion in August and September 2002 to have a broad inter-ministerial + NGO follow-up meeting (including the two youth representatives participating in May), but finally no concrete dates were set, when it became clear that we will have national elections in Austria at the end of November 2002, after the conservative/right-wing government coalition broke up - and so far, we still have no new government in Austria. Informal talks between NGOs, UNICEF National Committee, our Institute and officials have been held.

Initially, there has been some commitment to even start working on the preparation of a NPA - in summer 2002, the Foreign Ministry mandated me to prepare a briefing paper on the main outcome of the Special Session and its implications for Austria for further discussion. In my paper (September 2002), then, I proposed and outlined basic contents (grounded on CRC [Austria has no CRC implementation strategy as well], some priority areas (like non-discrimination of migrants and refugees, of girls, of disabled children, action against child abuse, corporal punishment, child-focus in development co-operation) and a consultation process for developing of a NPA; the paper was quite well-received by the Foreign Ministry and the Social Ministry, but no formal (political) decision has been taken, once it became clear that we will have elections in November …Still, the Austrian National Coalition for the implementation of the CRC (NC), including the Austrian UNICEF Committee, also call for a NPA; they welcomed those initial positive responses from the Ministries to my paper, and the NC expressed its interest to co-operate with the government for preparing such an Action Plan.

The Foreign Ministry sent out a report on the main outcomes of New York Special Session to other Ministries and authorities, so did the Social Ministry (the Minister for Social Affairs was Head of our delegation at UNGASS), but I am not aware of any public debate in our Parliament. Some NGO people wrote articles for newspapers.

It is expected that a new government will be formed in Austria by the end of January/mid-February, and we all hope to then have a clearer picture about what might be realistic/whether we really will have a NPA process in Austria one day.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights

BELGIUM

En Communauté française de Belgique, l’Observatoire de l’Enfance (regroupant des acteurs de terrain et gouvernementaux)  a mis en place des réunions pour discuter en collaboration avec les ONGs de la mise en place des plans d’actions nationaux de suivi des recommandations du Comité des droits de l’enfant et de suivi de la Session extraordinaire des Nations Unies consacrée aux enfants.

En Communauté flamande de Belgique, il n’y a pas eu de réunions ou de consultations en collaboration avec les ONG pour discuter du suivi de la Session extraordinaire ou du développement de plans d'action nationaux en collaboration avec les ONGs.

Le gouvernement belge s’est engagé à rédiger un plan d’action national en faveur des enfants. Le Ministère de la Justice est chargé de la rédaction de ce Plan d’action national et les Affaires Etrangères sont chargées de coordonner sa rédaction.  A ce jour, nous ne disposons d’aucunes  informations quant à l’état de rédaction du Plan d’action national.
-COORDINATION DES ONG POUR LES DROITS DE L’ENFANT

BENIN

Une journée de restitution a été organisée pour diffuser les résultats des travaux du Sommet mondial.

Après diverses études faites sur la question, il existe actuellement un plan stratégique de réduction de la pauvreté.

Il s’agit d'un complément à la préparation d'un plan d'action national de développement.

Une action est en cours pour la ratification des protocoles à la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant.
-Association béninoise d’assistance à l’enfant et à  la famille (ABAEF)

BOLIVIA

Meetings among NGOs, grass-roots organizations and government organizations have been held at the instigation of NGOs and UNICEF. The Government also organised a “Vice Ministry of Youth Affairs”, charged with the implementation of politics in favour of children, and the generation of public politics that could improve the living conditions of children and adolescents.

After recent Government change, and the recent creation of the already mentioned Vice Ministry, the new strategies have not been published yet. It could be expected that the Government will finish a National Plan.

Amongst other measures, the Government approved the Law “SUMI” (Seguro Universal Materno Infantil – General Mother/Child Insurance), to ensure/protect the health of expectant mothers and children of less than 5 years. This could be considered as an addition to a National Plan of Action; but due to lacking financial means, there would be restrictions towards policies exclusively for children and adolescents.
- Fundación Intervida

BURKINA FASO

The Government is currently developing the following documents: 2nd National Action Plan (2001-2005);
Strategic Orientation Framework for the Promotion of Children’s Rights (2001-2010); Report on the implementation of the Convention on Children’s Rights. It is also revising laws promoting children’s rights like the Penal Procedures Code. The second children’s Parliament is being elected.
- PLAN Burkina Faso

CAMEROON

A meeting of Government Ministries, local NGOs and international NGOs was organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs (statutorily in charge of promotion of the rights of the child) on June 16th on the occasion of the celebration of the Day of the African Child.  Participation of the head of State to the UN Special Session was highlighted and very little was said on forthcoming NPA.

Preparation of a NPA through workshops was announced  during the above-mentioned meeting; so far progress is quite slow. This situation can be explained by the fact that a new Minister in charge of Social Affairs has been appointed after the Special Session; in the socio-political context, such a major change affects effective follow-up of sensitive issues.

Poverty reduction strategy and achievement of the Special Session goals are handled by 2 separate Ministries (Ministry in charge of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Social Affairs respectively) and the World Bank is monitoring poverty reduction strategy. Up to now, staff from the Ministry of Social Affairs are just consulted on poverty reduction issues; they are not empowered to ensure effective incorporation of the Special Session goals into poverty reduction strategy.

Issues related to UNGASS and Follow-up were inserted in the year 2003 budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs and presented by the Minister to the Parliament during budgetary session in December 2002. Implementation of commitments is also part of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Sector Policies on poverty alleviation adopted in September 2002.
- Plan Cameroon

CANADA

In August 2002, the Canadian government funded a 3 day meeting for the 5 young people that were members of the Canadian government’s delegation to the UNSS. The purpose of the meeting was for the young people to discuss needed next steps for ensuring meaningful child participation in the development, implementation and monitoring of Canada’s National Plan of Action.

The Canadian government has also formed a steering committee, consisting of government, NGO and, just recently, youth representation.

A letter has gone out asking civil society to write the Canadian government a letter on what they see as:
- The priorities for action on behalf of children in Canada and/or abroad;
- The strategies for getting there;
- The emerging issues of concern.
- Save the Children Canada

Announcements were made through governmental sources/website/letters to NGOs and civil society organisations, but I have no clear sense that direct participation of children and youth on a wide-spread, grassroots basis is taking place. In Canada, most children and youth have never heard of the CRC.

The Special Session and Child Rights in general have been rarely discussed if at all. The profile of child rights in Canada has sunk below the radar because of political influences from US-style, right-wingers in our Parliament. E.g.: CRC is anti-family, pro-abortion. Few politicians would name their strategies as implementing child rights or understand their international obligations to engage children and youth in the policy process. A recent case in point…our huge public consultative process known as the Royal Commission on Health Care – the Romanow Commission - just wrapped up with no formal participation and minimal, under-representative consultation from anyone under 18. Participation in the policy process in Canada is still in its infancy compared with many UK, Scandinavian or even Latin American nations.
- Results – Resultats Canada
 

CHILE

Existe Plan de Acción Para el período 2001-2010. El Plan Nacional 2001-2010 fue elaborado antes de la Sesión Especial y presentado por el Gobierno de Chile en Marzo del 2001. El Plan se basa en los principios de la Convención sobre Derechos del Niño y apunta a su implementación.

Existe en Chile un fuerte proceso de reforma a la política y programas de infancia y adolescencia, este proceso se inició antes de la Sesión Especial y busca:

· Cambios legislativos que permitan adecuar la ley nacional a las normas y principios de la Convención Sobre Derechos del Niño. Está en primer trámite parlamentario el Proyecto de Ley de Responsabilidad Penal Juvenil y para el 2003 se espera que ingrese al parlamento el Proyecto de Ley de Protección de Derechos.
· Cambios institucionales: el Servicio Nacional de Menores (Servicio público, dependiente del Ministerio de Justicia, encargado de los programas de infancia en el país), está en proceso de reforma y se espera que para el 2006 este servicio desaparezca y se creen en su reemplazo otros dos organismos públicos. Uno sería el servicio nacional para adolescentes Infractores de Ley, que dependería del Ministerio de Justicia y tendría a su cargo los programas relativos al cumplimiento de penas (privativas y no privativas de libertad) por delitos cometidos por adolescentes. El otro organismo sería el Servicio Nacional de Protección de Derechos del Niño, que debería depender de un Ministerio de carácter social y tendría a su cargo los programas relativos a la reparación y restitución frente a la vulneración de derechos de niños, niñas y adolescentes.
· Está en proceso la reforma al sistema de educación y se definió como prioridad lograr  la educación obligatoria de 12 años.

Son acciones que permiten implementar y complementar el Plan de Acción

En Chile existe un interesante proceso para la implementación de la Convención, que tiene avances y retroceso, con una débil participación de la sociedad civil. Sin embargo creo que esto no es producto de la Sesión Especial, en la que Chile tuvo una destacada participación, pero a nivel de las autoridades nacionales no se le ha dado la importancia que la Sesión tuvo.
- Corporación OPCION

CHINA

We held workshop on prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation in Shaanxi with local government and other NGOs in 2002.  We will organize a national seminar on CRC and PCAN In Beijing or Xian in Nov. 2003.

Our government wants to implement the commitments made at the Special Session. The chairman of our Parliament, Mr Li Peng, discussed how to implement the commitments made at the Special Session in China. They discussed with other members of the parliament and social people.
- The Committee of PCAN and CRC of STA

COLOMBIA

After Special Session Colombia had the change of President.  New Government give this responsibility to the organism of protection to the children and family.  This organism includes several national and international NGOs (like World Vision, UNICEF, Save the Children, Plan Internacional, OPS) of a group of follow up about the commitments made at the Special Session by the Colombian government. The  name of the group is “Alianza para una política de infancia”. Visión Mundial Colombia is an active part of this group.

Now the new government is developing the Government’s Plan for the period 2002-2006.  THE ALLIANCE FOR A POLITICS OF CHILDHOOD (to which WORLD VISION COLOMBIA belongs) is participating actively, looking to influence the inclusion of agreements of the Special Session.  Equally already inviting on behalf of the government to that THE ALLIANCE participates in the development of the PLAN OF CHILDHOOD.

THE ALLIANCE FOR A POLITICS OF CHILDHOOD, participating beside the government in this process, is looking for initially in so far as possible that one doesn’t have to present an alternative plan of the civil society; but rather together civil society and government can agree to integrate a single plan.  However, in case working with the government doesn’t achieve these results, we would opt for an alternative plan.
- Visión Mundial Colombia
 

COTE D’IVOIRE

Des réunions ou consultations ont été organisées entre le gouvernement ivoirien et les ONG pour discuter du suivi de la session extraordinaire et du développement du plan national.

Un atelier de restitution des résolutions de la session a été organisé à Abidjan. Des réunions d’informations et de travail ont également été tenues dans le but de fournir les conseils pratiques sur la première étape de l’engagement dans le processus de suivi et sur le contenu du plan d’action national afin de s’assurer que les activités de suivi y sont intégrées et qu’elles ne mineront pas l’application de la convention sur les droits de l’enfant.

Le gouvernement ivoirien a préparé un plan d’action national en faveur des enfants dans le cadre du suivi de la session extraordinaire des Nations Unies consacrée aux enfants.

Des dispositions particulières ont précédé la rédaction du plan d’action national, en partenariat avec l’UNICEF. Entre autres dispositions, on peut donc noter :
· la signature d’un accord bilatéral avec la république du Mali interdisant la traite des enfants,
· la création d’un comité chargé d’étudier le sort des enfants que le SIDA a rendu orphelins,
· la création d’un ministère délégué chargé des questions relatives aux droits de l’homme
· l’adoption de la loi sur les mutilations génitales féminines
· l’adoption d’un plan d’action national pour la survie, la protection et le développement de l’enfant ivoirien.

Nous pouvons retenir :
· l’élargissement de la couverture du système de sécurité sociale à travers le projet d’assurance maladie universelle
· la mise en place du programme de décentralisation à travers l’installation ( après la phase des élections ) des conseils généraux de département
· l’aide à l’amélioration des conditions de vie des populations par le développement des politiques d’emploi ( soutien aux petits projets de type économique ) et de logement ( construction d’habitats aussi bien en zone urbaine qu’en zone rurale ).
· Il s’agissait ici d’un complément à la préparation d’un plan d’action national.

Le gouvernement a entrepris d’autres mesures pour mettre en œuvre les engagements pris pendant la session extraordinaire. D’importantes actions ont été alors initiées dans le cadre de la mise en application de ces engagements. Il s’agit de :
· la création d’une commission nationale des droits de l’homme et d’un organe national de suivi
· la réalisation d’études visant à recenser les divergences entre la législation ivoirienne et la convention sur les droits de l’enfant
· la désignation du Ministère de la famille, de la femme et de l’enfant comme structure de coordination de l’action gouvernementale portant sur les questions relatives aux enfants
· la mise en place du parlement des enfants et l’organisation, chaque année, de la journée de l’enfant
· l’augmentation du budget alloué au département chargé de l’éducation ( priorités fixées par l’Etat dans ses politiques relatives aux enfants )
· la création d’un programme national pour l’insertion et de réinsertion sociale des enfants  vivant dans les rues
· l’élaboration d’un plan d’action pour la lutte contre la traite des enfants
· la mise sur pied d’un comité pour la prise en charge des enfants que le SIDA a rendu orphelins
· les possibilités accordées aux associations de défense des droits de l’homme de soumettre des affaires au conseil constitutionnel
- Villages d’Enfants SOS

ECUADOR

Consultations with NGOs and children: Attending the recommendation from the National Forum of NGOs working with and for children, the President created a Technical Council to design the Action Plan.  This Council will make consultations with children, and all actors involve in child rights issues and the follow up of the Special Session.

The Council is working to organize the NPA process.  As Ecuador had elections recently (November 2002) the Council is waiting until the new authorities take their offices, this will happen in January.

The Council is considering the Special Session goals and the new Government announced a poverty reduction strategy would be a priority in the next four years.

Probably discussion in the Parliament will take place next year.
- PLAN Ecuador

EGYPT

The Government is reviewing the Strategic Plan for Childhood and Motherhood 2002-2007. It is not clear yet if they will incorporate the UNGASS goals into other development plans or have an additional plan.
- NGO Coalition on Child Rights

EL SALVADOR

Currently the government establishes a technical committee to develop the Decade Plan, according to the government commitment after the Special Session. This committee includes GOs and NGOs such as RIA -Red para la Infancia y Adolescencia (Network on behalf of Children and Adolescent), Secretaria Nacional de la Familia (Family Secretariat), Save the Children/US, Ministry of Labor, Health, Education, Salvadorian Institute for the Youth and Adolescent Development –ISNA-UNICEF and Plan El Salvador.

The government is preparing the NPA based on previous international agreements. They are taking into account the Special Session commitments and the document A World Fit for Children and the World Summit for Children.

The Salvadorian government is discussing and reviewing the Child and Adolescent Code in the Legislative Assembly before their approval. This Code is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Plan Internacional, El Salvador

ETHIOPIA

The government has established a National Steering Committee for the preparation of the NPA as a follow-up to the SSOC.  It is composed of representatives from the relevant bodies and children. The members of the Committee are representatives from: the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation, the Police Commission, the HIV/AIDS Secretariat, UNICEF, the Alliance and children who represented the Ethiopian children in the SSOC in New York.  The Committee holds meetings every 15 days for the preparation of NPA. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs chairs the meeting (a Ministry mandated for the implementation of the CRC in the Country).

The National Steering Committee holds regular meetings and it has prepared its term of reference.  Sorted out reference documents for the preparation of the NPA such as the out come document - the World Fit for Children, end of decade review of the government, the list of issues identified by the Ethiopian children for the SSOC, the government report to the UNCRC Committee, the recommendation of the UNCRC Committee and relevant documents from the concerned Ministries.
- Save the Children Alliance members working in Ethiopia

FIJI

They seem to be focussing on the Millennium Development Goals. There are recent poverty reduction strategies however, there has been no mention what so ever of tackling the Special Session goals.

There seems to be no interest at all in preparing a NPA. We already have one from 1994, formulated without children's participation, and it reads well however, little is done to implement the strategies.

Prior to UNGASS, I encouraged the Coordinating Committee on Children (CCC) to review the existing NPA. They resolved to formulate an Action Plan with input from a National Children's Forum. The Action Plan is currently been prepared by the CCC Secretariat. It is still in draft format and is lacking in concrete action strategies. The CCC Secretariat comprises of 2 junior staff at the Ministry of National Planning, who have not yet acquired the skills and experience to carry out CCC tasks effectively.
- Save the Children Fiji

GERMANY

We wrote a letter to the new Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth – Renate Schmidt. Her answer was that they will prepare a plan of action together with NGOs and children without mentioning a concrete schedule. But informally we heard that they intend to form a task force and that the National Coalition (of which we are part) is to be involved.
-Kindernothilfe

There is a meeting planned in April 2003! The Government is going to develop NPAs together with NGOs, local politicians and children.
- National Coalition for the Implementation of Children’s Rights in Germany (NC)

GUATEMALA

An agreement was signed between the Secretariat of Social Welfare of the Presidency of Guatemala and the Social Movement for the Rights of Children and Youth of Guatemala, on June of 2002, to work together in the formulation of an Integral Public Policy for Children and Adolescents, 2002-2012.

Four diagnostic studies were completed: one, on the status of children rights in Guatemala; two, on the national and international legislation; three, on the institutional setting of the state of Guatemala related to children; four, the budget execution of these institutions, 2000 and 2001.  A synthetic summary is being made of these 4 studies, together with a proposal of the Integral Public Policy, to produce a reference document for analysis and discussion by the end of January 2003.  Working groups, with government and non-governmental experts will analyze the different components of the proposed public policy, during the months of February and March, 2003.  Afterwards, during the first two weeks of April, there will be 8 regional consultations with the participation of representative organizations to validate the content of the public policy.  A final proposal will be prepared by the end of April.  The Secretariat of Social Welfare will do the lobbying inside the government, expecting that the Integral Public Policy is ratified.  The Social Movement will do the promotion and dissemination among the Civil Society organizations.
- Movimiento Social por los Derechos de la Niñez y Juventud de Guatemala and CIPRODENI

The Social Welfare Secretary has been conducting meetings with a NGO national coalition to establish a Children Policy as a follow up to the Special Session. This policy will include the NPA.

The NPA will be finished by May 2003. This has been discussed with GOs and NGOs only.

There are 3 special projects under discussion for approval in the Congress. One is related to a new law to give an integral protection to children and youth, the other one is related with Adoptions and the third one is a project to modify the penalties in the Civil Code in order to be more severe with child offenders.
- PLAN Guatemala

GUINEA

Le suivi de la Session Spéciale et du développement du Plan National se fait toujours en collaboration avec l’UNICEF. Les dernières réunions ont initié des Projets d’application de la Convention des Droits des Enfants et de la mise en Œuvre du Parlement des Enfants.

Le Plan National Guinéen élaboré depuis 1998 est bien en conformité avec les Objectifs de la Session Spéciale des Nations Unies .Il est en exécution avec la Collaboration étroite de l’UNICEF et plusieurs actions sont réalisées : Ecoles Maternelles , Centres d’Encadrement Communautaire, quelques Orphelinats, Le Parlement des Enfants, des actions ponctuelles en faveur des enfants en  Situation difficile

Un volet enfance est pris en compte dans le document de stratégie de reduction De la Pauvreté

L’adoption de deux Conventions 138 et 182 du BIT et deux Protocoles facultatifs à la CDE ( Convention pour le Droit des Enfants )
- Association des Villages d’Enfants SOS de Guinée

HONDURAS

The government gathered the local and international NGOs to prepare the follow up plan for the Special Session and the National Plan of Action for Children. The National Plan of Action For Children is going to be ready and approved on January 03.

The government is strengthening and supporting the Honduran Institute for Children and Family as well as supporting the creation and organization of the local community based advocacy committees for children rights.
- PLAN Honduras

INDIA

With NGOs: Govt has responded to NGO invitations and provided views and suggestions at NGO consultations (post-UNGASS interaction, priority setting, and NPA planning). It has not so far itself invited NGOs into consultation or planning process.

With children: No reported interaction so far. Some senior bureaucrats discount the value of  “token” or “tutored” child participation where the children involved might be voicing what adults tell them to.  Senior govt representatives have attended and addressed NGO meetings which have had child delegates.

Govt initially announced (in June 2002) that it would prepare and complete  its NPA by end-2002. This did not happen. In fact, it is now moving into what we understand is a two-level process: (i) making an in-house draft in the nodal Govt of India department; (ii) inviting inputs from state/provincial governments. Govt has also informed NGOs (at NGO invitation) that the national Five-Year development plan (Tenth 5-Year Plan, just adopted, for the period 2003-2007) contains most/all of the WffC/UNGASS goals, and exceeds some of them. However, the Tenth Plan seeks to address needs rather than rights. A separate set of plan proposals has been made on the 10-19 age group in an exercise addressing adolescent needs. It is unclear whether this will eventually be part of the NPA.  Since the Tenth Plan has been adopted, and its budget allocations declared without the NPA being made, it could be that the NPA will limit itself to the Tenth Plan content on child development for the period 2003/2007. Anything beyond these provisions would have to be supported by additional/other resource allocations. The Govt has set 3 overall target deadlines for its NPA action: 2007, 2010 and 2014.

The Tenth Plan covers all sectors of development, and therefore has greater status than a plan specially framed for children. However, previous plans have not been significantly ‘child-friendly,’ so it is a shame that the NPA has not been made and incorporated into the Tenth Plan.

Govt says that UNSSC goals are already in the Tenth Five-Year Plan. See comments above. As far as we know, the Tenth Plan sections on children were not revised as a result of UNGASS outcomes. Whatever provisions they had pre-UNGASS remained, as the planning process had reached an advanced stage, and the National Planning Commission was reportedly unwilling to reopen the text (the focal department [Women and Child Devt] is not one with great clout, and there may not have been sufficient leverage applied to get anything new into the Plan provisions).

The Tenth Plan is the governing Plan and framework for the country for the period 2003/2007. The NPA will now be an additional plan, and it is not certain that it will be a State-funded addition or one that depends on external funding. Had the time- sequencing been more kindly to the NPA formulation, perhaps some improvement might have been incorporated in the Tenth plan. The question now is what status the NPA will enjoy as the template for child-related action.

NGOs have, however, called for the establishment of a parliamentary committee on children/child rights (there is one on women, for example). The call was announced at the September 2002 National Conference on the Child, organized by an India Alliance founder- member [the Indian Council for Child Welfare].
- India Alliance for Child Rights
 

UNICEF in India has taken a proactive role in consultations with both the Government and NGOs on the Special Session and follow-up action, There has been close collaboration with the Department of Women and Children of the  Ministry of Human Resources Development as well as with civil society organizations across the country.  In India the lead has been taken by UNICEF and not the Government, though this collaboration has been quite effective.

Along with UNICEF a five year action plan is in the process of being outlined through a wider consultative process.  The HRD minister has directed the different States to also work on plans that will feed into national plans.

UNICEF (which works closely with the government) is in the process of preparing a country plan for the next five years and have identified issues from the goals of the special session.  These will hopefully influence government plans as well.

The goals of the special session and the commitments made at the special session were presented to the Indian parliament both before as well as after the special session in New York in May, ‘02.
- PLAN India

INDONESIA

The government is increasing subsidies to health service from oil and gas subsidy and developing a social safety net programme on health and education
- Save UK - Indonesia

ISRAEL

Everything here is overshadowed by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In addition there are elections on 8 of January. I believe this costs everybody’s energy.

Member of Parliament Tamar Gozansky, chair of the Advancement Status of Children Committee of the Knesset took such an initiative for a debate in the Committee but when elections were announced, all meetings were cancelled, including this one. Unfortunately MK Gozansky will not return to the Knesset.
- DCI Israel

ITALY

The Children’s Forum:  During the national day on child rights (20 November 2002), a three-day children’s forum was organized. Girls and boys from all over the country participated in this forum and produced a document which they presented in a public ceremony to the Minister of Labour and Social Policies. This forum was organized by the PIDIDA task force on children’s participation, with financial support from the relevant Ministry, and structured on the example of the Children’s Forum in New York. The document contains reflections and ideas of the children themselves.

Following the dialogue launched in New York during the Special Session, the PIDIDA met with a delegate from the Ministry on the follow-up to carry out after the commitments taken by Italy, and to identify the ways in which to render this dialogue between Ministry and PIDIDA a stable on-going relation. Various organizations have participated on a single basis in different tables and working groups on specific issues, becoming promoters of the application in Italy of the engagements underwritten at the Special Session (i.e. in the planning stages of the governmental project on paedophilia and sexual exploitation, intervening in the current debate on juvenile justice with the drafting of a common document on this issue, etc.).

In Italy, there is a legal provision that an Observatory on child rights present to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies a draft Plan of Action, which is then discussed and adopted in Parliament. The Observatory is made up of specific organizations that participated by right, and others that are nominated by the Ministry. During the preparation work on the Plan, the document “A world fit for children” was seen as a point of reference. At this stage (January 2003), the draft Plan still must be transmitted to Parliament by the competent Minister, making it therefore impossible for the time being to assess whether this Plan respects the engagements taken in New York on the document “A world fit for children”.

The results of the Special Session have contributed to documents which have been shared in public meetings, parliamentarian auditions, in encounters between government and non-governmental organizations. Some provisions have already been adopted (like the plan against pedofilia), others such as important law proposals are under discussion (reform of juvenile justice, reform of public education). Furthermore, an article of the Constitution has recently been modified offering a greater decentralization of the State from the central government to the regions; that is why it is important in the future not to limit assessment only to the actions carried out by the central government. The current phase of reforming such important sectors which also have an impact on child rights, does not enable an in-depth evaluation at the moment.
- PIDIDA (National Coalition for Children’s Rights)

JORDAN

A meeting was held in the Ministry of Social development with the Minister, and representative of UNICEF, with all participants to the UN.  This meeting was followed by other meeting with sub groups under the leadership of the National Council for Family Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development.

In the process of preparing a national plan of action for children, the National Council for family Affairs, with the Ministry of Social development and UNICEF are working together. The National Council has taken the leadership for this process. An outside consultant has been appointed to study the status of Jordan vis a vis the world declaration.

A study is conducted by the National Council for Family Affairs, on those issues and the government is especially working hard on poverty issues, education and health, for children and their families.

The issue is discussed continuously and worked on through the National Council for family affairs and the Ministry of Social development. NGOs are invited in reference to the issues discussed.
- SOS Children’s Village Association of Jordan

KENYA

A meeting was called by the Children’s Department towards end of last year, with only very few NGOs invited to the meeting.  We were not invited to that meeting, but I am informed that it was instigated by UNICEF Country Office.  The Children’s Department also informs me that a committee is going to be formed this year to disseminate and follow-up on UNGASS in the context of other things that are happening.

It is important maybe not to isolate follow-up to UNGASS as a separate issue from other things that are happening.  The issue of free and compulsory primary education is guaranteed in the Children’s Act and with the new government it is now implemented.  There are initiatives going on which in essence are fulfilling the goals of UNGASS.  UNICEF also has a NPA with Kenya Government on children but not on follow-up to UNGASS.  I think what is needed is to identify the gaps from UNGASS in the current NPA and address them. The meeting referred to above might also lead to activities to address the identified gaps.

It is important to note here that some of the issues taken by Kenya Government to UNGASS had been derived from the PRSP and other government plans.  The challenge is in the implementation of the good intentions.  Our past experience has been that a lot of good ideas tend to remain only in government documents.  There is a lot of goodwill with the new government for example on provision of free primary education and key stakeholders are discussing how to improve the implementation given that the number of children exceeds the available spaces especially in urban areas.  There are also good intentions on provision of health to all Kenyans.

The national Council for Children is implementing the Children’s Act which deals with a lot of issues agreed on at UNGASS.
- ANPPCAN (African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect)

MALAYSIA

Our National NGO Forum held a session with the relevant Ministry responsible for the NPA and the children who went to the UNGASS presented a memorandum to the Minister. The National NGO Forum has established a strong link with the Ministry and will work together with the Government on the NPA 2020 for the children of Malaysia.

Awaiting the Cabinet’s approval to release the NPA 2020 into the public domain.

The Government has agreed to work in smart partnerships with civil society and the community to implement the commitments made at the Special Session
- Malaysian Child Resource Institute

MALI

There is a new parliament after general elections of July. The government may yet develop an NPA.
- PLAN Mali

MAURITANIA

Restitution des travaux de la session aux ongs

· Séminaire de sensibilisation de la société civile sur le sommet
· Séminaire sur les recommandations du comité des droits des enfants sur le rapport de la Mauritanie
· Préparation du plan d’action nationale avec la participation des ong

Le gouvernement prépare le plan d’action nationale pour 2003/2011 avec l’Unicef et la société civile.
Le gouvernement mauritanien à une stratégie nationale de lutte contre la pauvreté qui est supervisé par le commissariat aux droits de l’homme, à la lutte contre la pauvreté et à Insertion.

Cette stratégie accorde une place importante à la promotion des femmes et des enfants.
Le groupe parlementaire a animé des séminaires de formation des élus aux droits des enfants en collaboration avec l’UNICEF.
- Association Enfants et Développement en Mauritanie

MEXICO

Se organizaron Tres reuniones con un número muy reducido de ONGs: una reunión fue organizada por la cancillería mexicana y otras dos por el gabinete de desarrollo social (compuesto por las Secretaría de Desarrollo Social, Salud y Educación); con niños no existió ninguna reunión de seguimiento de la Sesión Especial.

El gobierno mexicano preparó el PAFI: Programa Nacional de Acción a favor de la Infancia. Este programa fue presentado por el Presidente Fox ante Carol Bellamy el pasado 10 de Diciembre.
Este Programa se puede consultar en internet en versión en español en el sitio http://www.sedesol.gob.mx/logros/pafi.htm
- Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México

MONGOLIA

The government tried to accomplish the development of the NPA as quickly as possible. (I think they wanted to have recognition from international communities that they had developed sooner after the Special Session). They had set limited time to finalise the NPA. Gov’t regarded children’s participation as it had organized prior to the Special Session. There was limited NGO involvement because they didn’t plan to give much time in the development process. But the government wanted the NGOs to participate but limited time was discouraging factor.

World Vision Mongolia Children and Young People’s Smiling Child II Forum Report and Recommendation had been given to National Committee for Children for their reference in developing the initial framework for NPA.

They have developed the National Plan of Action with limited capacity from NGOs and children. The Prime Minister of Mongolia had adopted the NPA in December 2002. Now National Agency for Children, Implementing Agency of Government, is working to develop its strategy how to build the organizational capacity to implement the NPA.

After the Special Session The Mongolian Parliament changed the status of The Committee for Children. Even they have changed the name from Committee for Children to National Agency for Children, which is not under Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour rather the agency that reports to directly to the Minister of Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour. This means that the National Agency for Children has now more powerful voice and influence to other ministries.
-World Vision Mongolia

NEPAL

On the occasion of International Child Rights Day in 20 November 2002, Central Child Welfare Board and Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare formally announced the conclusion of UNGASS. In December 2002, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare formed a task force also comprising NGO representatives to develop a National Plan of Action. The CWIN President has been appointed as the coordinator. The task force will prepare an assessment report with recommendation to the government on NPA incorporating Nepal’s commitment to UNGASS adoption. No consultations with children have taken place yet.

The government has already incorporated child rights in the 10th five-year planning and in future the NGO community have to influence, lobby the govt. to incorporate special session goals into the relevant planning such as, education, national planning, health, etc.

The follow-up process, although initiated recently, will take some time to start. NGO representation in the follow-up process and formulation of the National Plan of Action is definitely a positive step by the government.
- Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre (CWIN)

NEW ZEALAND

Representatives from SCNZ, Office of the Commissioner for Children (OCC), UNICEF, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs have attended meetings to discuss the follow up actions.  These meetings were not initiated by the Government but were arranged by SCNZ, UNICF and OCC.

Provided part funding for the publication of a youth friendly version of ‘A World Fit for Us’ – this was an initiative of NGO’s.
- Save the Children New Zealand (SCNZ)

Consultations with NGOs and children: Yes, but only at the instigation of UNICEF, Save the Children, the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa (ACYA)(The NGO co-ordinating the NGO report to UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on New Zealand's compliance with the UN Convention.).

Government agencies have apparently had at least one meeting on (the NPA) but I understand so far the workplan only includes scoping what New Zealand is doing in specific areas.

Other steps: Giving NGO some funding to produce a youth friendly children's outcome document on the children's outcome document.
- UNICEF New Zealand

NICARAGUA

The Government of Nicaragua has made a sustained and commendable effort to follow up activities. The organization of the response, in terms of close coordination among the respective agencies, requires more work.

The national council for children (CONAPINA) and the special advocate for the rights of children (PRONINEZ) are government of Nicaragua (GON) entities.  They have held meetings with international NGO's, local NGO's and UNICEF.  Consultations with children have been held.

A national plan of action has been developed and published by CONAPINA, with the support of the Nicaraguan coordinator of NGO's for children (CODENI), Plan International, UNICEF and Save the Children.

The GON has a poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) and there is an attempt by the GON to see that all of the national action plans or strategic plans of the relevant government ministries or institutions are consistent with the PRSP.  That goal has not been fully achieved at this point but the effort is definitely underway. This is in addition to preparing a national action plan, which has already been published.

It is my opinion that the joint effort made here in Nicaragua is a fine example of government, civil society, local and international organization working together to promote the rights of children.
- PLAN Nicaragua

NIGER

The government held some meetings with NGOs. The objective of those meetings was to carry out strategies for the implementation of engagements taken during the UN Special Session on children.
Nigerien government has prepared a national plan of action for children. This plan of action concerns principally child survival, protection and development. Many efforts have been done by  the state of Niger with the help its partners for development. Hence many politics and programs related to health, education and struggle against poverty have been elaborated to improve socio-economic indicators.

Our government incorporated the goals of the Special Session in other development plans such as the strategic document of the struggle against poverty. In the shape of a large program called “Special program of struggle against poverty”, initiatives have been taken to struggle against malnutrition, food insufficiency, and weakness of incomes, illiteracy and favor the access to education and health services. All this is in addition to preparing a national plan of action.

For the implementation of commitments taken during the Special Session other initiatives have been taken. As such the members of parliament have engaged debates to establish adequate legislative tools to ensure a better protection and promotion of child rights in Niger.
- PLAN Niger

il y a eu une réunion de restitution de la session extraordinaire des Nations Unies entre le gouvernement , le parlement et les ONG en vue d’étudier la suite à donner à cette session. Il fut question de l’élaboration du Plan d’Action.

le plan d’action national en faveur des enfants dans le cadre du suivi est une des priorités du gouvernement. Toutefois, des études thématiques sont en cours en vue de sa préparation. Il s’agit d’un plan sur 10 ans 2003 – 2012.

il s’agit d’une alternative à un plan d’action national.
- Village d’Enfants SOS

NIGERIA

One “Summit for Children” was held at Federal Level but did not specifically relate to the Special Session. A few weeks later the National Assembly threw out the proposed Children’s Bill.

There is a danger that the Federal Government may commission a few consultants to produce a NPA. This will have no effect on policies towards children within the Federal States. The introduction of Sharia and the growth of fundamentalism in the North is a serious constraint.
- Save the Children UK

NORWAY

The Government (Ministry of Children and Family Affairs) has called three meetings with NGOs (e.g. representatives from Forum) and children to discuss outcomes from and follow-up to New York, as well as the preparation of a NPA. The process is just about to start. It is now clear that children will take part in this process. Also, NGOs have advocated that participation in a process, which is inclusive, is more important than the NPA itself.
- Forum for the CRC

PAKISTAN

The National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD), M/o Women Development Social Welfare and Special Education organized two days National Consultation specially for children to share and exchange views on UNSS. The delegates children share their views and experiences with the other children and preparation of NPA as follow up of UNSS on children.

A National Conference on Child Rights was also organized by NCCWD in June 2002 with a view to discuss and design strategies for preparation of NPA as follow up of UNSS. Government functionaries, UN Agencies, INGOs, NGOs and children participated in the conference.

The NCCWD (GOP) is in process of preparing NPA for children as follow up of UNSS- Two consultations in Gilgit (Northern Areas) and Muzafferabad (Azad Jammu & Kashmir) respectively have been held. NGOs and civil society organization (working on child rights) are the potentials partners for preparation of NPA. Four consultancies have also been planned and will be held in coming months in the four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and Baluchistan).

A National Committee has also been constituted in NCCWD with a view to review the pace and process of NPA.

In addition to preparing a National Plan of Action, the Government of Pakistan (Planning and Development Division) has prepared a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The specific goals are being incorporated in the development plans and policies of various Ministries (Social Sector).

The Government of Pakistan has allocated/enhanced budget in various sectors concerning child rights. Discussions has been held with Politicians-elected people at District level. As parliament starts functioning, sessions will be held with member of National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies.
- PLAN Pakistan

PALESTINE

The international Plan already exists before the UN Special Session. Actually the main progress is in the field of legislation which is affecting the child rights in Palestine.
- DCI  Defence for Children International / Palestine Section

PARAGUAY

The Minister for Children and Adolescents has contacted the country’s NGO Forum for Children and Adolescents (Coordinadora de los Derechos de los Niños y Adolescentes CDIA) which groups 16 NGOs working for children. The aim was to establish working groups according to the NGOs expertise to discuss topics related to NPAs.

Two actions leading to the development to NPA are on the way: Discussion groups by topic have been established. Consultations with children will get started in January and there will be 5 different consultations during 2003.
- PLAN Paraguay

PERU

There have been some consultations, from March 2002 on, with NGOs, organisations of civil society, groups of children and adolescents.

The draft of a national Plan (2002-2010) already existed in May 2002. The plan is now being completed. A law was established that the Prime Minister has to present to the Parliament, in April of every year, a report on the progress on the realisation of the objectives of that National Plan.
- Fundacíon Intervida

REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFICAINE

la cellule de développement social au Ministère des Affaires Sociales de concert avec le Ministère du Plan ont préparé un plan d’action national en faveur des enfants. Ce document est soumis à l’Assemblée Nationale pour adoption.

un plan d’action national de lutte contre la pauvreté est élaboré par le Gouvernement. Dans ce plan sont incorporés les objectifs de la session extraordinaire de l’Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies consacrée aux enfants.

Oui ; un document a été élaboré par le Ministère des Affaires Sociales et soumis au parlement pour adoption. Il concerne un certain nombre de mesures pour la mise en œuvre des engagements pris pendant la session.
- SOS Villages d’Enfants de Centrafrique

ROMANIA

The government developed after the ONU Special Session was held, a press conference where NGOs were invited in order to transmit to them the results and actions that needed to be taken in the following months and the Government commitments:
· Child protection – National Priority – The commitment taken by the Romania Government ;
· The commitment for observing the ONU Convention regarding the child rights;
· Child Protection- Is a politic criteria in the process of Romania adherence to UE;
· Child Protection- Chapter involved in the process of Romania adherence to NATO.

The Government through the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption developed sessions where NGO’s and the Public Services for child protection participated and discussed the actions to be taken on short and long term in child protection area:
· Prevention of abandonment;
· Continuing the development and the diversification of the community services, continue restructuring/ closing the residential institutions;
· Continuing the integration of children that attend special schools in the normal schools;
· The global and unitary approach of the child situation, according to ONU Convention;
· Strengthening the institutional capacity of the public services for child protection for approaching the whole situation of the child, including of the children with handicapped from families;
· The Partnership with NGO’s
· Correlation of the reform processes

The National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption organized a public debate of the results of the first study made at national level regarding the child abuse and neglect. The Government also organized a public debate of the four projects of law regarding the observance of the child rights before the law –projects were submitted to the Parliament.

The Government through the National Committee for Child Protection which at present is the National Authority for Child Protection approved since 1996 the National Plan of Action for children through Governmental Decision Guvernul no. 972/1996.  This governmental decision is active and includes all the actions the present Government intends to take. The observance of all child rights and the Special Protection given to the child in difficulty.

The Government promised to assume the responsibility before the Parliament in January 2003 for promoting in urgency regime of the legislative package regarding the observance of the commitments taken at the ONU session for children.
- World Vision International - Romania

RWANDA

Des réunions entre le Ministère ayant les affaires sociales dans ses attributions
Des réunions avec les enfants  ont été organises par ce même Ministère
Des débats télévisent et radio-diffusés ont été organises pour discuter du suivi et pouvoir recueillir des informations et des suggestions de la population. Des débats étaient ouverts à tout le monde, on pouvait même y accéder par téléphone.

le Rwanda a pris des mesures en vue de la réalisation des objectifs défins au sommet mondial pour l’enfant.

La première mesure a été l’élaboration  du plan national pour la survie, la protection et le développement de l’enfant.

La seconde mesure a été la création du programme national pour l’enfant (P.N.E). La mise sur pied de cette structure se justifiait par le fait que :

· Il faut coordonner toutes les activités en faveur de l’enfant
· Il faut oeuvrer d’avantage et efficacement pour le bien être de l’enfant et dans l’esprit des engagements et des recommandations issues du sommet mondial pour l’enfant.

le Rwanda a pris des mesures en vue de la réalisation des objectifs défins au sommet mondial pour l’enfant.

La première mesure a été l’élaboration  du plan national pour la survie, la protection et le développement de l’enfant.

La seconde mesure a été la création du programme national pour l’enfant (P.N.E). La mise sur pied de cette structure se justifiait par le fait que :

· Il faut coordonner toutes les activités en faveur de l’enfant
· Il faut oeuvrer d’avantage et efficacement pour le bien être de l’enfant et dans l’esprit des engagements et des recommandations issues du sommet mondial pour l’enfant.
- Village d’Enfants SOS

SENEGAL

Il existe des programmes de lutte contre la pauvreté mais la problèmatique de l’enfant et surtout de l’abolition du tavail des enfants n’est presque pas évoqué.
- Défense des International des enfants

SLOVENIA

Our Government translated documents connected to UN Special Session on Children and prepared a report which has been presented to the members of Council for Children (June 2002). A Council was established within the Ministry for labor, family and social affairs last year and it contributed to the follow-up activities.

We don’t have any information on meetings or consultations with NGOs to be held with Government.
According to our information there are some plans of activities prepared at the Ministry for Labor, Family and Social Affairs.
- SEECRAN, South East European Child Rights Action Network

SOUTH AFRICA

Our NPA has been in place for a while, and is managed by the Office on the Rights of the Child in the Presidency at national Level.  All nine provinces have Provincial Plans of Action in place.  The problems lie not in the absence of policy but in the implementation.
-Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

SWITZERLAND

Meeting with NGO organizations for information purposes. No plans of actions yet. There have been changes of ministers as of 1/1/03 in the federal government, followed by changes in the lower level of officers. New ministers have to get acquainted with the subject.
- Child & Hospital – Swiss Association for the rights of children and adolescents in health services

A report from the Head of the Swiss Delegation to UNGass has been submitted to the government, without any reaction so far. Head of Delegation was Jean-François Giovannini

A national plan for action for 5 years has been proposed by the Head of Delegation which was submitted to the government, but no reaction has been given so far

The government will eventually present its national plan of action once it has studied the proposals presented by the Head of the Swiss Delegation which includes a meeting with Swiss NGOs working on children's issues.
- Women’s World Summit Foundation

TAJIKISTAN

There are bimonthly meetings of the National Commission on Child Rights of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by the 1st deputy of the Gov’t of the Republic of Tajikistan- Nigina Sharopova, National Coalition of the NGOs and International Organizations (UNICEF, SC UK) where members discuss the issues devoted child rights, activities performed and plans for the future.

Working Groups were formed in the main areas such as health, education, social welfare. Government representatives identify the existing problems, ways to solve the problems, partners and responsible people.

Recently there was the 1st Children’s organizations forum on the NPA guidelines development for the National Commission on the Rights of the Child.   The Forum took place on 26- 29 November, 2002 and had following main activities:
· Analysis of the results of research “MY PLACE FIT FOR CHILDREN” conducted by children
· Children prepared the vision “MY TAJIKISTAN FIT FOR CHILDREN”- vision and actions (guidelines for the National Commission on Child rights on NPA development)
· Preparation of press release and participation in the National children’s and young people programme “Manu Dunyo” to present the vision to media and discuss this issue

Before the Event Day (National Forum on November 28, 2002) Children’s Working Groups (volunteers for the Consultation on NPA development- representatives of the CYGs, Local NGOs) conducted the research called “My Tajikistan fit for Children”. The main areas were Education, Health, Violence, Environment and 3 additional directions: role of Child- led organizations, CYGs information networking, Planning for GMC work in Tajikistan. This initiative was devoted to the development of guidelines for the government on NPA.

At present the outcome document of the National Forum is in the preparation process and the draft is already available in Russian language.  The format of the document for the National Commission on Child Rights consists of:
· Statement by children
· Description of the focus groups of children who have been involved in the process of NPA guidelines development
· Matrix of (a) problems identified, (b) solutions, (c) executive & responsible organizations, (d) partners

Here are some highlights of issues identified by Working Committees and main problems identified:

1) Children and Education in TAJ (lack of school supplies, equipment, life skills development to expand the curriculum, child friendly schools and teachers, access to information);
2) Children and Environment in TAJ (polluted environment, cleaning the garbage, clean ecological transport, planting the trees);
3) Children and Violence in TAJ (physical, psycho-emotional violence in the special institutions, lack of child friendly staff, bullying in the schools, child kidnapping, trafficking, exploitation)
4) Children and Health in TAJ (improvement of health service, support of sport in the republic, construction of  playgrounds, aids and special  equipment for children with disabilities)
5) Role of Child- led organization in TAJ (cooperation and collaboration between CO, CYGs, NGOs, lack of information, fundraising, )
6) Children’s media center – advocacy, influencing work, plans/CYGs information networking (formation of the CYIN, access to the internet/computer equipment, create the Information Resource Center of the CYIN)
7) Planning for GMC work in Tajikistan (small geographical coverage of the project, insufficient development of Children’s Organizations and movement, need for regular training/workshops on CRC/GMC, cover the vulnerable groups of children)

This is not an exhaustive list of issues raised by children. Others will be described in the recommendations document for the Government.

Now there is the process of strengthening such organizations as National Commission on Child Rights of the Gov’t of the Republic of Tajikistan (training/workshops for the staff, knowledge, skills, experience sharing between Central Asia colleagues) and National Coalition of the NGOs on protection of children rights and their interests (public reception formation- the place where citizens both adults and children can get the information and consultation to preserve their own rights, opening the Information Resource Center for the NGOs on Child Rights Activities in Tajikistan and abroad).

We have now the programmes running by children on the National TV, Radio. Children have their own newspaper registered in the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan.
- Save the Children UK - Tajikistan

TANZANIA

The government organised the press release immediately after the congress. The government and NGOs and Children worked together to establish a Junior Council. Each district in the country (156) has 2 representatives to the Council.

The first  zonal workshops have been organised to work with children. The UNGASS resolutions were included in the Commemoration of the Day of the African Child ceremonies in Zanzibar and the first child labour day in Dar Es Salaam

Government, NGOs, children, media, and  UNICEF  organised an UNGASS follow-up action planning and declaration  report dissemination workshop. People from different disciplines were invited.

The national plan for action following the UNGASS is underway.

Children Baraza (Junior council formulation): All National events on children are involved fully, i.e. the African Child Day, Organised children programmes run by themselves i.e. Kipengele.

Two ministries in their annual budget assembly reported their plans for improving social welfare of children (MCDWC, MLSC).
- Kiota Women’s Health and Development (KIWOHEDE)
 

Follow up meetings were organized by UNICEF under the umbrella of Tanzania Movement for and with Children (TMC) with participation of the members of the delegation, government officials, media and NGOs. Also a meeting was organized by the Ministry of Community Development, Women Affairs and Children (MCDWAC)

The MCDWAC has established a working group that involves various stakeholders in the development of the NPA. The initial stage has enlightened the NPA through zonal workshops to build Tanzania fit for children under the umbrella of Tanzania Movement for Children (TMC). The zonal workshops will cover all regions with a range of stakeholders including children themselves.

The government has revised the child policy to incorporate the goals set during the Special Session. The draft is ready and will be endorsed in the next parliament session. This is in addition to preparing a National Pan of Action.

Junior Council of the children of United Republic of Tanzania. In collaboration with other partners through TMC, workshops on building Tanzania fit for children started since November 2001 involving stakeholders to discuss and understand it. Partners have translated the document ‘World Fit for Children’ into Kiswahili.
-PLAN Tanzania

THAILAND

After UNGASS, the Deputy Prime Minister discussed  with UNICEF and Children representatives the idea of passing the UNGASS information to other children.  One day workshop was organized in Bangkok. Two children/youth representatives from each province attended this workshop. After this, a two- day seminar was organized by the National Youth Bureau, focusing on Child Protection. Then, a three-day consultation meeting was held to listen to voices of children and youth for incorporating into NAP.

The plan has been disrupted by the government reform. The National Youth Bureau which was under the Prime Minister Bureau has been shifted to the Ministry of Social and Human Resources Development. The NAP is now hanging…

UNGASS goals are also being incorporated into the National Economic and Social Development plan which has clear goal for each sector: Health, Education, Poverty Reduction. This is in addition to preparing a National Plan of Action.
- PLAN Thailand

TOGO

Après la Session extraordinaire de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies consacrée aux enfants, le Comité National de Protection de l’Enfant et l’UNICEF se sont réunis le 30 juillet 02. Cette réunion avait pour but de faire l’état des lieux de la session spéciale en vue de mener des consultations pour la préparation à la session de restitution qui devait être organisée le 02 octobre 02. Mais l’indisponibilité des uns et des autres ont empêché la séance de restitution d’avoir lieu.

En réalité, du fait que la seance de restitution n’a pas eu lieu, les actions prévues après mai 2002 n’ont pas connu une réalisation complète. Le Comité de Suivi et d’Evaluation pense reconduire le plan d’action 2002 en 2003 tout en prenant en compte les résolutions prises au cours de la dernière Session Spéciale de mai 2002.

Des projets pour la Réduction de la pauvreté existent déjà comme le projet PAMEP (Programme pour l’Amélioration des Moyens d’Existence de la Population), le projet AGAIB, les programmes de vaccination, de lutte contre les violences faites aux enfants, d’exploitation des enfants. Mais ces recommandations de la Session Extraordinaire viendront renforcer les actions du gouvernement en matière de protection de l’Enfance.

Il s’agit d’un complément à la préparation d’un plan d’action national.

Des actions de ce genre étaient prévues mais le départ en campagne électoral des députés et le renouvellement de l’Assemblée Nationale ont été des freins à ces projets.
- SOSVE

UGANDA

Briefly, a number of consultative meetings have been held with NGOs particularly to:
· draw a joint follow-up action plan
· disseminate the World Fit For Children (WFFC) outcome document
· develop an NPA
· integrate the WFFC targets into the PRSP/PEAP.

Among specific planned activities that have been accomplished include
· debriefing the National organizing committee, CSOs, children
· writing a cabinet memo to debrief members
· Analyzing WFFC and the PEAP to identify connections and gaps
· Developing a customized version of the WFFC
· Draft framework for developing the NPA

To date preliminary activities have been done as indicated above and a framework to guide the process has been developed. The target for achieving this activity (NPA) is June 2003. The country launched the review of the current PRSP/PEAP and it is hoped that the new PEAP will reflect the targets in the WFFC.

One activity that has been done as already mentioned in this questionnaire is the analysis of the PEAP and WFFC document. The analysis revealed that targets on health, HIV/AIDS and Education are already addressed and need a few adjustments. The problem is however with goals on abuse and exploitation of children where the current PEAP is almost silent about it and at the moment Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with other stakeholders ourselves inclusive are trying to ensure that the next PEAP incorporates this area.

Secondly, a study on Child Poverty was commissioned by Ministry of Finance and conducted by SC UK and findings of this study have already fed into the Uganda Poverty Participatory second report on poverty trends in the country. Findings of this report will also feed into the PRSP/PEAP.

Another opportunity is the Consultative Group (CG) that is likely to take place early next year. There is an opportunity for CSOs dealing with children's issues to bring into light the targets in the WFFC. The government has asked CSOs to make presentations during the CG on different topics one of them being the Millennium Development Goals and the PRSP/PEAP. How far the MDG have been achieved and whether the PRSP/PEAP reflects these goals.  There are also plans to conduct analysis of the PEAP in light of children's rights and the UNCRC ("Childrening" the PEAP). This process is going to be lead by UCRNN.

The government has also facilitated each sector to develop a sector investment plan that in essence addresses issues that are in the WFFC among others. For instance the Health, education, and social development sector strategic plans have incorporated most of the targets that are achievable.  Each sector also has a Poverty Task Force responsible for analyzing the current PEAP and identify gaps and making suggestions to be incorporated in the next PEAP.

A cabinet memo for members of cabinet was written and a debriefing for members of parliament is planned for January 2003.
- Save UK, Save Norway, Uganda Child Rights NGO Network

UNITED STATES

The only discussion that met with some success was one to increase the level of funding to children overseas.  There is some language about leaving no child behind, but most believe this is simple rhetoric for the time being.
- Childreach/Plan

We have contacted the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of State several times since the UNGASS.  Neither has any plans currently to build a National Plan of Action.
- Child Welfare League of America

VENEZUELA

El año pasado (2002) hubo un encuentro entre varias ONG´s  con la participación de niños, niñas y adolescentes de toda Venezuela junto a representantes del Ministerio de Salud y Desarrollo Social.
De igual manera se realizó una reunion convocada por CECODAP y UNICEF para presentar el trabajo  y las conclusiones de la Sesion Especial de las Naciones Unidas ante el Ministerio de Educación.

en su Planificación Anual.

Algunos Ministerios se han pronunciado que el plan está incluido implícitamente.
SOS Aldeas Infantiles Venezuela junto a la Red por los Derechos y Garantias de la Infancia y Adolescencia, está preparando un material como Informe o Plan Alternativo, en caso de que el Gobierno no asuma directamente la responsabilidad de hacerlo. Si SOS junto a la Red finalizan la propuesta, es posible que el gobierno se una en la elaboración del mismo.

Un SI muy debil.
En los discursos del Presidente asi lo da a entender. Eso se evidencia en algunas políticas que ya se implementan pero aun sigue siendo insuficiente. Un ejemplo de ello es en el incremento de la matricula escolar, jornadas de vacunación y otros programas a menor escala.

-SOS  ALDEAS  INFANTILES  VENEZUELA

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NGO ACTIONS

ALBANIA (CRCA - The Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania)

CRCA has been keeping close contacts with the Committee for Equal Opportunities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first governmental institution is assigned to review the application of the national strategy for children at ministry level, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started to prepare the initial and first report for the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, since these reports were overdue.

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event, contacted members of parliament and distributed information on follow-up.

The Albanian Children’s Rights Network is closely following the UNGASS, the application of the outcome documents and seek ways for its implementation in Albania at national and local level. Monthly meetings are organized with the participation of NGO members of this network.

ALBANIA (World Vision)

WV Albania has contacted the Children’s Alliance and other organizations in order to ensure a co-ordinated approach on the follow up from the Special Session.

AUSTRALIA (“Give the children a Voice” A Committee of the Adult Survivors of Children ASCA.)

We have as individuals put submissions to Inquiries that appear to have their recommendations placed on “the shelf” and forgotten about.  There is no “will” within our Government to change the laws to Protect children. We have Lobbied Members of Parliaments to take an interest in Protecting children.

AUSTRALIA (SCA-S.O.S! (Survivors of Child Abuse-Supporters Of Survivors!))

We have contacted the following members of Parliament; Larry Anthony, The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; John Brogden, The NSW Opposition Leader, (Shadow Minister) C/- The Australian Liberal Party; The Hon. R.J. Carr, The NSW Premier/Minister C/- The Australian Labour Party;  Mr. Brad Hazzard, Opposition - The Shadow Minister for The NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS)  C/- The Australian Liberal Party. The Standing Committee on Social Issues, C/- The NSW Parliament. The NSW Ombudsman

Most Members have contacted their own Local MPs. We have distributed information on follow up to all of our members, and have worked very hard together as a team, as to what the best ways would be, to enable us to tackle this serious problem that we are currently faced with in Australia in relation to our Children and Youth not being provided with any Services for their Safety and Protection.

Many Members have also forwarded this information on to other relevant Persons, Organizations, Departments, etc.

AUSTRIA (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights)

I provided a 14-pages briefing paper requested by Foreign Ministry as well as some input for policy papers/draft texts for the Foreign Ministry. Our Institute still maintains some linkage function between the Ministries, the local UNICEF Committee and NGOs (as we were also co-ordinating together with UNICEF the national preparatory process for UNGASS).

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Contacted members of parliament (through NGO colleagues); Distributed information on follow-up; briefing of Institute’s colleagues, articles, information on UNGASS in our newsletter of the Institute’s Service Centre on Human Rights Education; our child rights seminar at Vienna University starting next March will include topics on UNGASS follow-up; also NC activities around 20 November 2002 included focus on UNGASS follow-up

With support from the Foreign Ministry, our Institute worked together with the local UNICEF National Committee already on the preparatory process and we continue to co-operate on follow-up.

BELGIUM (COORDINATION DES ONG POUR LES DROITS DE L’ENFANT)

Cfr. Question 4. La Coordination des droits de l’enfant a eu des contacts au sujet du suivi avec le gouvernement belge depuis la Session extraordinaire.  Les réunions à l’Observatoire de l’Enfance en Communauté française de Belgique ont permis de préciser des recommandations dans la rédaction du plan d’action national. Le résultat de ces réunions sera communiqué aux instances chargées d’élaborer le Plan d’action national.

Rien de tel n’a eu lieu du côté de la Communauté flamande.

Les mesures suivantes ont été prises : courrier vers les responsables politiques de l’Enfance, questionnaire pré-électoral, rédaction d’un Manifeste des droits de l’enfant reprenant les priorités pour l’Enfance au niveau national.

UNICEF Belgique fait partie de la Coordination des droits de l’enfant.  Nous collaborons donc ensemble au suivi de  la Session extraordinaire de l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies consacrée aux enfants.

BENIN (Association béninoise d’assistance à l’enfant et à  la famille (ABAEF))

A Cotonou, avec L’UNICEF. Par lettre et par e-mail, avec le groupe des ONG pour la mise en œuvre de la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant à Genève.

BENIN (Plan International)

Plan met with the minister of family to discuss with her about some issues regarding the rights of the child, we have also conversed on UNGASS, and our proposal is to establish NPAs to go ahead on this matter. But till this time, there is no action undertaking by the government.

Actions: Distributed information on follow-up; Distributed information on the UNGASS until we elaborate the NPAs.

On July, we met with NGOs and UNICEF in order to think about UNGASS follow-up. 10 nationals NGOs are involved in one committee installed to generate the mains topics on which we can work together. We are expected till this time the basic document in order to program our actions.

BOLIVIA (FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA)

The most important NGOs and UNICEF impulsed the creation of the “Alianza Bolivia por la Niñez y Adolescencia”, in which many groups and NGOs are represented. There have been meetings between NGOs, grass-root organisations and governmental organisations, and there has been an intent for representatives of children and adolescents to be nominated by the directly implicated groups. So, for instance, in the zone where we are working (El Alto), the “Alianza Boliviana por la Niñez y Adolescencia – Filial El Alto” is leaded by a girl adolescent of 16 years, and there are various children in its Directory.

Have had contact with the Assistant for Child rights of UNICEF

BULGARIA (Save the Children UK, Bulgaria Programme)

We had a meeting in November 2002 with senior representatives from the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP). The result was that the SACP agreed to draft a concept on how the Agency could set up an effective forum for consulting children and YP on a national basis. The opinion of the YP will be sought on the second regular Government's report, once it's finalised.

Save the Children UK organised a campaign together with the Children's Parliament in November 2002. This included the production and broadcasting of radio clips, which marked the CRC anniversary and announced the start up of the campaign. 5000 feed back coupons were produced and YP sent them to the Bulgarian Prime Minister, declaring their commitment to proactively participate in drafting a NPA.

A Round Table discussion on child welfare reform in Bulgaria was held in Rousse municipality in November 2002 with high level representatives of the Local Authorities and the State Agency for Child Protection. Young people and children from the Child to Child Clubs, run by Save the Children, and from other youth-led organisations in the town of Rousse took part and required information about government's thinking of meaningfully involving children and YP in decisions that affect them.

Representatives of the Children's Parliament submitted a petition during a plenary session in the Bulgarian Parliament on the UNCRC anniversary, 20 November 2002

The child friendly version of 'A World fit for Children" was translated into Bulgarian and distributed. The Guidelines for involving YP in contributing to a NPA were also translated and distributed among young people round the country.

A joint SC/Children's Parliament press conference was held on the eve of the UNCRC anniversary

BURKINA FASO (Plan Burkina Faso)

Actions: Promoting children’s rights through a radio campaign/broadcast; Piloting the teaching of children’s rights in schools in seven provinces of Burkina Faso; Training the new Children’s Parliament on Children’s Rights

BURUNDI (SOS-KINDERDORF INTERNATIONAL)

Au mois d’octobre 2002. Avec le Ministère de l’Action Sociale et celui en charge des droits de la personne humaine. Des réunions regroupant tous les intervenants en faveur de l’enfant seront prochainement organisées.

Réunion de consultation ou manifestation

CAMEROON (Plan Cameroon)

Plan Cameroon Country Director met with:
· The newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs current November 2002. Result: joint commitment to build the (missing) network of rights of the child stakeholders in Cameroon and  agreement on development of joint action plans;
· The newly appointed Minister in charge of Territorial Administration. Result: the Government  is favorable to a Plan Cameroon’s wide scope  birth registration project focusing of children from minority groups

This issue was part of discussions among Plan Cameroon Country Director and the newly appointed Minister of Social Affairs in November 2002.

CANADA (Results-Resultats Canada)

Anti-poverty lobbying efforts unconnected with the UNGASS, and on behalf of children’s health and education occur frequently – these are just not formally linked with either CRC implementation or with UNGASS commitments.

The Canadian Coalition on the Rights of the Child is a very tiny umbrella group with no resources and no formal office or research capacity; most Coalition members were not present at UNGASS and are unaware of its implications.

CANADA (Save the Children Canada)

Save the Children Canada (SCC) has met with the lead departments and persons for the NPA process, including, Senator Landon Pearson, the department of Health and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). Although informal discussions took place before and after the Special Session regarding the NPA, formal meetings were scheduled in late November and early December with various representatives in government.

Primarily SCC presented the government with a paper including recommendations on what the process and priorities should be regarding the NPA and received updates as to progress being made within government which, at that time, was not extensive.

Save the Children also met with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to discuss their role as a donor agency in supporting other government’s developments of NPAs and the inclusion of children in that process.

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Contacted members of parliament; Distributed information on follow-up.

Save the Children Canada is also coordinating a steering committee organized by young people. I.e. distributing materials, securing funding, confirming participation of all participants, organizing meetings…

CHILE (Corporación OPCION)

· Junio de 2002 reunión con la Ministra del Planificación y Cooperación (responsable del Plan Nacional). El resultado de la reunión fue conocer que la prioridad de la política social del país, tiene como meta  que al 2006 se habrá reducido  a 0% la cantidad de población que vive en condiciones de extrema pobreza. Para ello se ha diseñado el programa "Chile Solidario", destinado a las 225.000 familias más pobres del país, es un programa que tiene como beneficiarios a los grupos familiares y que establece un nivel de prioridad para la atención de los niños y niñas de esas familias.
Se estableció un primer acuerdo de trabajo conjunto con el fin de priorizar efectivamente la atención de los niños y niñas a través de este programa. El contacto con ese Ministerio se ha mantenido con avances más lentos de lo que quisiéramos en los resultados.
· Junio de 2002 reunión con Directora Nacional del Servicio Nacional de Menores, con este Organismo Público se realiza un trabajo permanente de coordinación  a fin de apoyarlo en el proceso de reforma, está asumiendo las metas establecidas en materias de Protección establecidas en el Plan de la Sesión Especial.

Contacto con miembros del parlamento
Distribución de información sobre el seguimiento a la Sesión Especial
Otros:
· Se han sostenido reunios con parlamentarios en forma individual y Opción a asistido en calidad de organismo especializado a reuniones de comisiones legislativa a fin de responder consultas en materias de responsabilidad penal de adolescentes y en el sistema de financiamiento de programas públicos  de atención a niños, niñas y adolescentes víctimas de amenaza o vulneración de derechos.
· Se han elaborado y distribuido boletines informativos de los resultados de la Sesión Especial.
· En enero de 2003 se incorporará información y los documentos para el seguimiento elaborados por el Child Rights Caucus en la página web de Opcion (www.opcion.cl).
· Se participa periódicamente en reuniones con la Dirección Nacional del Servicio Nacional de Menores a fin de apoyar el proceso de reforma de ese servicio público.
· Se trabaja permanentemente con el Ministerio de Justicia en materias de responsabilidad penal de adolescentes.
· Se ha iniciado el trabajo de preparar un documento alternativo del ante proyecto de ley de protección de derechos.

CHINA (The Committee of PCAN and CRC of STA)

In 2002 we contacted with our government on the follow-up since the Special Session. With the leaders of some officers of Chinese medical association in Beijing in china and some leader s of the province. Some leaders try to help and support our work and cooperation on follow-up since the Special Session.

COTE D’IVOIRE (Villages d’Enfants SOS)

SOS Côte d’Ivoire n’a pas encore eu de contacts avec le gouvernement ivoirien au sujet du suivi depuis la tenue de la session extraordinaire.

Aucune mesure spéciale n’a été prise par SOS Côte d’Ivoire pour influencer les plans d’actions nationaux et/ou d’autres processus de suivi de la session. Il est cependant prévu, dans les prochains mois le règlement des conditions d’adhésion définitive au forum des ONG et associations d’aide à l’enfance en difficulté et la notification de l’inscription de l’organisation SOS à la coalition ivoirienne pour les droits de l’enfant. Cette disposition engagera d’avantage notre institution à participer activement aux activités du forum et de la coalition qui vont dans le sens du respect de la convention sur le droit des enfants et du suivi des recommandations de la session extraordinaire.

La direction de SOS Côte d’Ivoire n’a pas encore rencontré le bureau national de l’UNICEF au sujet du suivi des recommandations de la session extraordinaire.

ECUADOR (Plan – Program Office Ecuador)

On May 2002 a group of NGOs –among them Plan Ecuador Program Office- through the National Forum for Children and Adolescents negotiated with the First Lady and the President an agreement to create the Technical Council to design the Action Plan. The Council is working since November 2002.  A member of Plan Program Office Ecuador is participating in this Council as part of the National Forum. We have also distributed information on follow-up among NGOs and Municipalities.

UNICEF is supportive of NGO initiatives.

EGYPT (NGO Coalition on Child Rights)

We have contact with National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) which is the national institution responsible for the follow-up. We will have two consultations with NCCM: first one to discuss their ideas and the second to discuss the actual plan. These consultations will be based on the results of the consultations with NGOs and children and adolescents. Objectives:
· To discuss the production of the national plan of actions.
· To set up framework for cooperation in that matter.
· To get children and young people in this process.
· To advocate for wide range of participation in the process.

The coalition is planning to organize 2 consultations with NGOs and children and adolescents (members of Children and Adolescents Forum) on the outcome document and on developing National Plan of Action. Objectives:
· To discuss the outcome document of UN Special Session and its links to Global      Movement for Children.
· Identifying their roles on the implementation of the outcome document as well as Global Movement for Children.

We presented the results of High Level Consultations with NGOs happened in New York to UNICEF Egypt within the Egyptian vision.
 

EL SALVADOR (Plan Internacional, El Salvador)

Plan El Salvador is part of the National Technical Committee involved in the elaboration of the NPA. Also, Plan El Salvador is in contact with UNICEF and Save the Children US to give a follow-up to the Special Session commitments.

Plan is part of the technical committee that is promoting the Child and Youth Code. Also, Plan organized children and adult consultation on the contents of the ROC Code to ensure the full participation of civil society especially of the children.

ETHIOPIA (Save the Children Alliance members working in Ethiopia)

The Ethiopian delegation returned back from the SSOC Meeting in New York in May 2002. We discussed and agreed to follow- up on the preparation of the NPA.

The Alliance and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has a plan to invite the concerned Ministries Planning Departments Heads to aware them about the NPA Process and the out come document so that they consider it in their planning and implementation.

The Alliance has also a plan to inform its partners NGOs and government Bureaus in its partners meeting.

There is an informal Child working group established under an Umbrella organization of National and international NGOs called CRDA. But, it is not functional for the time being.

We have quarterly meeting and one of our agenda is follow-up of the SSOC and the NPA.
UNICEF funds the initiative of the government in the preparation of the NPA and the Alliance gives technical and professional support.

The Save the Children Alliance has taken the initiative and the children who have taken part in SSOC in New York are attending the meeting.

The Alliance has also suggested to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to organize a consultative meeting composed of participants from all sectors of the Society including NGOs to gather inputs for the NPA. The Ministry has agreed on the idea and follow-up would be made by the two organizations.

FIJI (Save the Children Fiji)

The Child Rights Officer of Save the Children Fiji (SCF) presented a report on UNGASS to the Coordinating Committee on Children (CCC) (who nominated the CR Officer to attend UNGASS) and recommended that the Committee maintain its efforts to involve children at national level, as was done just prior to UNGASS. The Child Rights Officer also participated in the Economic Summit where
the draft of  the National Development Strategic Plan was reviewed. Indicators and strategies to    advance children's participation at national level were submitted. The final version is yet to be seen.

The Child Rights Officer is developing a program that will include child participation with CCC activities, and also initiated and coordinated the country and regional    representation at the EAP CYP Forum, Korea, December 2002. There has been little discussion with the Government delegation who
attended UNGASS headed by the Ministry of Education, but they have generally been unwilling to talk  specifically about Special Session goals.

I distributed a paper on Children's Participation in National Plans of Action to the members of the CCC accompanied by my UNGASS report and recommendations. Prior to UNGASS, I encouraged the CCC to review the existing NPA. They resolved to formulate an Action Plan with input from a National Children's Forum which was  coordinated by myself. The Action Plan is currently been prepared by the CCC   Secretariat. It is still in draft format and is lacking in concrete action strategies.    The CCC Secretariat comprises of 2 junior staff at the Ministry of National Planning, who have not yet acquired the skills and experience to carry out CCC tasks effectively.
 

FRANCE (FNO)

Actions: Distributed information on follow-up. We sent to our SPs the UNICEF brochure concerning “ Say Yes to children” and we got really fired by the FPs !

GERMANY (Kindernothilfe)

In October, November and December we had phone calls with the responsible persons for the follow-up in the ministry: Dorothee Engelhard (now retired) and Walter Dichans. Furthermore we met the new State Secretary for the Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Ms. Riemann-Hanewinckel.The result: They are planning to take steps without giving concrete details. We agreed on keeping in touch.

Together with Forum Kinderarbeit we are planning a letter or postcard campaign if the Ministry doesn’t start with the National Action Plan.

GERMANY (National Coalition for the implementation for children's rights in Germany (NC))

We will participate in the coordinating group for the NPA. We are working with our members – 100 organizations engaged in the field of child and youth welfare and child and youth policies.

GRENADA (Grensave)

We held a consultation meeting or event. We are continually lobbying the government to do something.

GUATEMALA (FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA)

Had contact with Christiane Munduat, of the Social Welfare Ministry (“Secretaría de Bienestar Social”). No real concrete results, besides general information on prospects.

There have been some actions, but still no complete information at our disposal.
Had contact with Ana Raquel Tobar, from UNICEF

GUATEMALA (Movimiento Social por los Derechos de la Niñez y Juventud de Guatemala (Social Movement for the Rights of Children and Youth of Guatemala), and CIPRODENI (Coordinadora Institucional de Promoción de los Derechos de la Niñez -  Institutional Coordination for the Promotion of Child Rights))

We held meetings during the past months (since May of 2002) with the Secretariat of Social Welfare.  There is a Consultative Committee in which representatives of the Secretariat, together with representatives of the Social Movement and CIPRODENI, with the support of UNICEF and Save the Children Sweden, have been leading the process.

The Social Movement held three regional meetings in November 2002, to define plans of action for 2003 including inputs to the public policy for children.  Several meetings have been held with legislators in relation to the approval of two important pieces of legislation:  The Law of Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents and the Law of Adoption.

The Social Movement is a broad coalition with over 60 different organizations, including youth groups. CIPRODENI is integrated by 16 NGOs working for children’s rights.

GUATEMALA (Plan)

Plan Guatemala had some meetings with NGOs to coordinate efforts in the UNGASS follow-up in the country.

GUINEA (Association des Villages d’Enfants SOS de Guinée)

Aux mois de Mai et Juin 2002 avec la Direction Nationale de l’Enfance et le Comité Guinéen des Droits de l’Enfant ; le résultat très satisfaisant est Prometteur

Après un entretien avec le Représentant de l’UNICEF au mois de Décembre dernie , un rendez-vous sera organisé pour discuter des questions de l’enfance et de notre possibilité de collaboration

HAITI (Coalition Haitienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’enfant (COHADDE))

Des tentatives ont ete faites aupres du Ministere de tutelle par l’intermediaire du point focal, mais les demarches n’ont pas arrive a terme.

Distribution d'informations sur le suivi

HONDURAS (Plan Honduras)

Plan Honduras has been elected to be a part of the consultant committee for the elaboration of the National Plan of Action for Children and the UNGASS follow up. It works with local and international NGOs such as Save the Children, World Vision, UNICEF, INFAF.  It has held a consultation meeting or event, and distributed information on follow-up.

UNICEF has elaborated an action plan for the UNGASS activities with local and international NGOs.

INDIA (India Alliance for Child Rights)

The India Alliance for Child Rights organised a first UNGASS feedback meeting on 11th June, followed by a consultation for NPA planning on 16th /18th July; Govt of India attended both (the secretary for women and child devt was the representative). Between the June and July events, alliance reps met with the secretary to discuss ways of making the NGO-govt interaction productive. The 11th June meeting resulted in govt-NGO agreement that the govt would be open to NGO suggestions and would share its own information and ideas. The 16/18th July consultation resulted in govt sharing further views, govt suggesting that the NGOs detach from policy matters (!) and focus on providing best practices information and insights. There was substantial and strong child presence and participation in the July consultation; the govt dignitary was mildly critical of what he felt was a superficial contribution. Subsequently, the India alliance supported a national conference on the child in September 2002, and convened a stocktaking conference on 14th November 2002 India’s national Children’s Day).Govt was not well-represented at the September 2002 National Conference on the Child, and did not attend the India Alliance’s 14th November conference, but sent friendly messages to both

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event: Contacted members of parliament; Distributed information on follow-up (on India as well as on South Asia region, since we are a founder member of the South Asia NGO Alliance initiative for child rights [SANGA For Children]).

As of 14th November 2002, we have instituted an annual stocktaking of child rights action as our contribution to raising public consciousness and getting governmental attention. An annual lecture on the girl child highlights the issue of gender justice in childhood (a priority concern here). We have utilised the opportunity of the Asia Social Forum (the regional process and event of the World Social Forum [WSF]) being held in India to raise the issue of child rights as the centre of development with justice. Notably, India Alliance member-NGOs were the only organisations who convened workshops and promotional activities at the Asia Social Forum (2-7 Jan 03), and managed to attract attention. We believe the WSF process should pay much more attention to the child.

With the India Country Office, both pre-  and post-UNGASS. UNICEF has participated in all our consultations and planning processes, and part-funded many of our activities to date. We interact regularly with the assigned programme officer for NGO/CRC liaison, and periodically with the Country Representative. We have asked for a meeting to learn about the priority concerns and objectives of the new MPO for the India Country Programme, and expect this to take place this month (Jan 03).

The India Alliance is also keeping the India Country Office (UNICEF) updated and briefed on a regional advocacy opportunity to set in place principles for child rights planning and action in all 7 countries of the S. Asian Association for Regional Cooperation [SAARC], the regional inter-governmental body. This is the current SAARC process of drawing up a Citizens’ Social Charter with a strong child rights component in it (3 India Alliance member-organisations are part of this process, and one [the Women’s Coalition for Peace and Development]  is drafting the child rights paper and serves on the India charter drafting group).
An important plank of post-UNGASS advocacy activity will be to make the  SAARC Social Charter a live document stating principles and goals for national action, and use it as a tool in country-level advocacy and monitoring relating to the NPA. The Charter stresses poverty eradication and people-centred development. We have managed to build in positive references to the Millennium goals and CRC, and incorporated NPA and CRC implementation among regional priorities.

INDIA (Plan)

Plan has worked closely with UNICEF during the run up to the special session both nationally and at the State level (Andhra Pradesh).  There has been follow-up at the State level though at the National level it has not been possible so far. Follow-up consultations were held in Plan India's Hyderabad Zone

INDONESIA (Save the Children UK-Indonesia)

We will contact the Government focal point for Special Session follow up which is National Development Planning Board (BAPPENAS). There was a national network as a preparation for UNGASS and we need to reactive the network to work on UNGASS follow-up.

We held an interagency meeting to get a common understanding on UNGASS follow up and working together in a complementary role.

IRELAND (Children’s Rights Alliance)

We have regular contact and meetings with Government officials and Ministers.  It was only this week that we realised (in response to our direct questions) that nothing had been done in relation to the National Action Plan requirement and that it was not on any schedule for immediate action.

In the wake of our meeting with the Director of the National Children’s Office (the office that will be responsible for producing the Plan) it seems likely that work will begin next year on the Plan.  It is our assumption that they will attempt to simply retool the existing National Children’s Strategy (a ten-year comprehensive plan launched by the Government two years ago that covers all aspects of policy toward children in Ireland) to make it comply with the call for a National Action Plan around WFFC.  We have pointed out, however, that the Plan must be “specific, measurable and time-bound” – characteristics that do not apply to major elements of the National Children’s Strategy.

We put a fair amount of time and energy into lobbying for the strongest possible outcome document and for it to promote the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Because the final document was so weak and so minimally focused on the Convention, we’ve done little to promote follow-up action.  At the moment we are working to promote implementation of the National Children’s Strategy and the filing of a Second National Report on Ireland’s performance implementing the Convention.  We will promote the development of the National Plan of Action in a manner designed to strengthen our efforts in the above arenas.
 

ISRAEL (DCI Israel)

We met with the director general of the Justice Ministry; Judith Karp (member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child) and the dep. attorney general but she retired last week and with her another spokeswoman for such an approach.

DCI Israel is the coordinator of the Israeli Child Rights Coalition, but UNGASS is far away from everybody with all the violence around us. We are waiting until the elections and the Gulf War is over. We are not so happy with the outcome document anyway (not enough rights based) and that has taken away a lot of the motivation to use it.

Actions: Contacted members of parliament; information on follow-up; wrote the Minister of Justice and Foreign Affairs.

ITALY (Mani Tese)

Distributed information and making specific requests to the Government with reference to the issue of Child Labour

ITALY (PIDIDA (National Coalition for Children's Rights))

Meeting with Lusardi, organization of the children’s forum, the Collodi Conference (in the conclusive part, the Minister listened and responded to the children)

Various associations participating in PIDIDA are part of the National Observatory on Child Rights, and have thus participated in the drafting of the National Plan, which was presented to the Minister who can take it on or not, and then pass on the proposal to Parliament.

PIDIDA participated in the drafting of the Childhood Plan promoted by the Third Sector Forum., the main Italian network in this sector. The results of the Special Session have been fully taken on in this document, which after having been presented to the public, will represent a working tool for interfacing with the government and local administrations.

UNICEF-Italy is in charge of the secretariat of PIDIDA, and thus works in coordination with the forty odd organizations that are a part of it. It translated and published the document “A world fit for children”.

JORDAN (SOS Children’s Village Association of Jordan)

SOS has been invited to the retreat held by the NCFA, ,workshops were held among the different participants. All NGOs in the field were there.

KENYA (ANPPCAN (African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect))

We are working on issues that have been of interest to us even before UNGASS.  So while we may not be specifically following up the Special Session, we are in continuous contact with Ministries of Education, Labour, Health, Information and Departments of Children’s Services and police.  Some of the outcomes are formation of child protection teams at the district level, a concept for development of a child protection system, child rights curriculums for both early childhood teachers and caregivers and the police.  We have been working for and will continue to work towards a country fit for our children. We distributed information on follow-up to our chapters in 15 different countries in Africa

There has been in existence a Coalition on child Rights and Child Protection, which brings together government departments, NGOs and private institutions to address issues of children.  But it does not specifically follow up UNGASS.  There is also a National Council for Children.

UNICEF is working with a few NGOs but they have not worked for broader involvement of all stakeholders.  If the outcome of UNGASS has not been nationally circulated, the attempts to follow-up are haphazard.  If more is going on I do not know.

KOREA (REPUBLIC OF) (World Vision Korea)

World Vision Korea co-hosted the Korea’s first National Children’s Forum on November 23, 2002 participated by 40 children aged 13 and 18.  Four of the largest child-focused organizations working in Korea – World Vision, UNICEF, Save the Children and Angel’s Haven(a local NGO) – convened the Forum, which was held as a follow-up to UNGASS.

Also, these four NGOs co-hosted the third East Asia & Pacific Regional Children and Young People’s Forum from 9-13 December, 2002 in Seoul as a follow-up to UNGASS.

LEBANON (National Rehabilitation and Development Center)

We’ve had contact with the national government several times, mainly in September-October. Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Contacted other NGO’s to push on the Government.

LEBANON (SeSoBEL)

Actions:  Held a consultation meeting or event

MALAYSIA (Malaysian Child Resource Institute)

The National NGO Forum met with the Minister of National Unity and Social Development on the 23rd July, 2002 and recognition was given to the National NGO Forum as a coalition of child-focused NGOs to work with the Ministry and the C/YP themselves on the follow-up to the Special Session.

UNICEF Malaysia has been most supportive of our NGOs’ activities esp. the National NGO Forum  and of our children’s participation in the Children’s Forum recently in Seoul, Korea from the 9-13 December. The  UNICEF Special Representative has gone beyond the call of duty to advise and guide the NGOs in our support of children’s participation in the UNGASS follow-up.

MALI (Plan Mali)

Had contact with the Minister of Women and Children Welfare; there was no reply to the question of when would the Action Plan be designed.

Plan Mali organised a meeting with all the Child’s Rights Organisations in the country.

MAURITANIA (Association Enfants et Développement en Mauritanie)

A la préparation : campagne dites oui aux enfants, sélection et formation des enfants représentants la Mauritanie, restitution des travaux de la session spéciale, forum avec des enfants et des membres du gouvernements

Le secrétariat d’état à la condition féminine et le conseil national de l’Enfance et le comité national de plaidoyer pour les droits des enfants

Vaste campagne nationale sur les droits des enfants avec la collaboration de la société civile

Réunion de coordination entre les ongs du réseau enfance

 Manifestation : célébration des journées de l’enfance et séminaires de formation des ongs dans le domaine des droits des enfants

Contact avec des membres du Parlement (groupe parlementaire de l’enfance)

Distribution d'informations sur le suivi : recommandations et préparation d’une campagne nationale sur le suivi de la session

MAURITIUS (APEIM)

Lors d’une visite de notre ministre, nous avons  exprimé notre désir de participer à cette préparation ; cette démarche est restée sans réponse.

Tentatives de contacts auprès de notre ministre comme expliqué ainsi qu’auprès de l’UNICEF (qui phase out à la fin de cette année )
C’est par Inclusion International ,lors du congrès de Melbourne  en Septembre , grace au  DR .Zuhy Sayeed que j’ai été mieux informée

MEXICO (Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico)

La Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México tuvo relación permanente con los responsables del gabinete social encargados de la elaboración del PAFI; participó en las mesas de trabajo y diversos miembros de la Red fueron consultados en múltiples ocasiones; adicionalmente la Red envió sendos comentarios al texto previo del PAFI.

Desafortunadamente la mayor parte de las observaciones y sobre todo las más relevantes no fueron tomadas en cuenta, los representantes de gobierno pusieron muchos obstáculos para la participación de ONGs, por lo que fue sumamente reducida. La Red manifestó públicamente su descontento con los contenidos del PAFI.

Actividad:
Preparación de una reunión o encuentro
Contacto con miembros del parlamento
Distribución de información sobre el seguimiento a la Sesión Especial
Alianzas con otras redes, foros estatales y capacitación, además de una versión amigable sobre Un Mundo Apropiado para Los Niños.

La Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México es una Red ya de carácter nacional que trabaja con otras redes estatales en el seguimiento de la Sesión Especial, también ha realizado alianzas con otras redes similares junto con las cuales organizó:
· Foros de difusión de la Sesión Especial. Algunos de estos foros se realizaron en los Estados de la República.
· Cursos de capacitación sobre los contenidos del documento “Un Mundo Apropiado para los Niños”.
· Difusión a través de los medios de comunicación masiva: se organizaron cuatro conferencias de prensa sobre el tema y se mantuvo información actualizada sobre el proceso de negociación con el gobierno dentro del sitio de internet de la Red.

UNICEF México financió la participación de representantes de ONGs y Niños a la Sesión Especial sobre Infancia. Desafortunadamente la participación de UNICEF se debilitó en el seguimiento dentro del país y en la elaboración del Programa Nacional de Acción debido a cambios internos que ocurrieron durante este importante periodo.
 

MONGOLIA (World Vision Mongolia)

WV Mongolia had involved in number of meetings and follow up events:

In September 2002 initiated a meeting at the National Agency for Children to discuss the development of the NPA and encouraged them to involve children and NGOs. After the meeting National Agency for Children organized consultation meeting at with NGOs including line ministries.

In October involved in the consultation meeting on the development of the NPA with ministries and other NGOs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In October met Chairperson of National Committee for Children to influence the government in committing the resources to the NPA furthermore encouraged her to put real figures that government is going to commit till year 2010. The impact was real that we could see the funding top meet the objectives from the government side.

Actions:  Distributed information on follow-up

I would consider that UNICEF works closely with gov’t rather NGOs. At the national level we have a challenge to change the attitude of UNICEF encouraging them to work with NGOs more in depth.
NEPAL (CWIN (Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre))

We had called on former Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba and Former Minster of Women, Children and Social Welfare in June 2002. After that the Government was changed. We have recently called present Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare to remind the commitment of the Nepali Government on UNGASS. We have again got assurance from the Minister for the immediate follow-up of UNGASS and preparation of the National Plans of Action to implement the commitment on UNGASS.

The government has appointed CWIN president to become a convenor of the task force to prepare National Plans of Action in accordance with Nepal’s commitment to UNGASS as a follow-up. We are facilitating networks and alliances on child rights on UNASS follow-up. We had organized a consultation to discuss on the issue of the follow-up of the UNGASS and for the preparation of the National Plans of Action. We had also contacted the Members of Parliaments in this regard. Unfortunately, the Parliament has been dismissed and the election for this is yet not known. Information regarding this issue was also disseminated to the NGOs, Political Parties and other concerned.

We will definitely push the government to initiate child participatory activities and also can initiate some activities on our own.

NEW ZEALAND (Save the Children New Zealand (SCNZ))

Joint meetings with the Ministry of Social Development, Youth Affairs and NGOs to discuss the publication of ‘A World Fit for Us’.  These meetings were initiated by SCNZ, UNICEF and OCC.

We have distributed the Save the Children documents for NGOs, Government and young people on the Plan of Action to the appropriate organizations.

NEW ZEALAND (UNICEF New Zealand)

NGO meetings with Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Youth Affairs in regard to publicising the children's outcome document.  These meetings were instigated by UNICEF, Save the Children and the Office of the Commissioner for Children.

With others (Save the Children and Office of the Commissioner for Children with support from Ministry of Social development and Ministry of Youth Affairs) we have produced an attractive, young people friendly version of the children's outcome document which we will be distributing widely to children and young people next year.

Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa has also publicised the UN Special session and its follow-up in its email newsletters and provided the UN Committee on the Rights of the Children with information about New Zealand's response  which has been limited so far.

UNICEF has secured the services of a public health specialist who will work with us for 6 months at the beginning of next year.  She will research the current state of health goals in New Zealand (from the outcome document), and with the health NGO sector set goals for New Zealand for the next five and ten years and make recommendations on how these could be achieved.  We plan to launch the results of our "health goals"  project at a seminar held in the capital city, Wellington, and use this as a way of influencing Government and publicising the outcome document and the need for a Plan of Action.

NICARAGUA (Plan International Nicaragua)

Plan International Nicaragua has coordinated closely with and supported CONAPINA and PRONINEZ (which is a department of the office of the advocate for human rights, of the government of Nicaragua) and CODENI representing child focused Nicaraguan NGOs.  Along with the “grupo ad hoc”, we have participated in and supported numerous meetings/events, and financed in whole or in part the publication and distribution of a variety of materials relating to UNGASS, including the national plan of action itself.  Meetings/events have been held to raise the level of consciousness of the Nicaraguan legislative assembly, the judiciary and the general public regarding the Nicaraguan children's code.

UNICEF has played an important role in the “Grupo ad hoc,” supporting both the government of Nicaragua and Nicaraguan civil society organizations in issues relating to follow-up of UNGASS. Child consultations have been an integral part of the preparations for UNGASS and the follow-up.

NIGER (Plan)

Our NGO had some contacts with the government. The latest was on 23 / 08 / 2002 at the headquarter of UNICEF with other NGOs and some civil society organizations. The result of this meeting was the strong commitment taken by the participating structures. They deeply involved themselves in the monitoring of the decision taken during the U.N Special Session.

There is a coalition of NGOs which are working together on UNGASS follow-up. From time to time some meetings are held to evaluate the advancement of commitments taken.

UNICEF has taken some initiatives to involve NGOs and children in UNGASS follow-up. It organized a National forum of youth in collaboration with other NGOs during December 2002. This forum had a goal to strongly involve children in questions related to them.

NIGER (Village d’Enfants SOS)

notre organisation fait partie du réseau Nigérien pour l’Enfance et notre Représentant a participé à la réunion de restitution tenue le 23 Août 02 au Ministère du Développement Social. A cette rencontre il y avait les autres ONG membres du réseau, le Parlement, le Parlement des jeunes et les Représentants du Ministère du Développement Social.

contact avec des membres du Parlement
Distribution d’informations sur le suivi par l’UNICEF.

NIGERIA (Save the Children UK)

Actions: We have attempted to raise awareness of the Special Session and the Outcome amongst a few key NGO partners – we are new to and remain small in Nigeria.

NORWAY (Forum for the Convention on the Rights of the Child – Norway)

Forum has met on three occasions with the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs to discuss follow up and a process for developing a NPA. We have also used this dialogue to remind the Norwegian Government of the fact that Norway still has not incorporated the Convention into national legislation. Also, several issues of procedure and content in regards to Norway’s third report to the Child Rights Committee, due in February 2003, have been raised.

Forum is in the process of finalizing its advocacy strategy on a NPA. We do advocate incorporation, influence the reporting process for Norway’s third periodic report to the Committee and are about to start work on our supplementing report, which will be due in February 2004.

PAKISTAN (Plan Pakistan)

The government organized a National Conference on Child Rights to develop National Plan of Action and also to prepare second progress report on implementation of CRC held at Islamabad on 28-10 June 2002. Plan Pakistan also participated in the National Conference and provided necessary information/material.

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Distributed information on follow-up.
Plan Pakistan arranged meetings with various Government departments at National, Provincial and District level. Particularly at District level, meetings have been convened with elected persons to impart orientation on child rights. Material on child rights has also been disseminated among them.

A network of NGOs has been developed. This network has been very closely involved to develop the plan of action and also to review progress of various actions concerning implementation of UNGASS recommendations. UNICEF has involved NGOs and children (those who participated in UNGASS) and also those NGOs and children who are taking an interest in undertaking various activities concerning children’s rights.

PALESTINE (DCI  Defence for Children International / Palestine Section)

A Palestinian Child Rights Coalition was formed directly after UNGASS. We have distributed information on follow-up, and also  met with UNICEF to discuss procedures for developing the existing Action Plan in order to incorporate the outcome of UNGASS. Further steps will be taken soon.

PARAGUAY (Plan)

In November, Plan contacted Roberto Stark the advisor to the Minister of Children and Adolescents. Result of the meeting was: an action plan to get started with consultations for children starting in January with the support of Plan.

We have lobbied with the country’s NGO Forum for Children and Adolescents, to place NPA in the agenda as a priority, and also lobbied with Ministry of Children and Adolescents to support the development of plans of actions.

Plan is a member of the country’s NGO Forum for Children and Adolescents (Coordinadora de los Derechos de los Niños y Adolescentes CDIA) which includes 16 NGOs. As such member we have been actively promoting the development of the national plan of action. However we have also contacted the GO side so as to support any governmental efforts on this direction.

Plan will be the Coordinator for the consultations with children, which will be carried out together with Ministry of Children and Adolescents and CDIA. They will begin in January 2003.

REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFICAINE (SOS Villages d’Enfants de Centrafrique)

Les rencontres programmées n’ont pu avoir lieu à cause des fréquents remous sociaux que le pays a connu et qui persistent.

lors de la Revue Annuelle du Programme de Coopération RCA-UNICEF 2002, tenue à Bangui du 19 au 20 décembre 2002, le volet suivi de la session extraordinaire de l’Assemblée Générale a été abordé notamment la mise en place de l’observatoire sur les droits de l’enfant.
A défaut de financement le processus devant mener à la mise en place de cet organe n’a pu être déclenché.
 

ROMANIA  (World Vision International- Romania branch)

World Vision was invited to participate at the actions organized by the Government. In this respect WV made realistic comments regarding the new law package in favor of the child. A WV employee was designated by the Prime Minister to participate to a working group designated to make the human resources system  capable to support the reform of the child protection  system  in Romania. WV was the only NGO that participated at this phase.  We have also distributed information on follow-up.

World Vision is a member of the NGO Federation active in child protection. This federation is active in all actions regarding child protection.

It would be interesting to make an analysis and then organize a seminar for analyzing the achievements of Romania regarding the National Plan of Action taken by the Romania Government in 1996.

WV collaborates with UNICEF. Together with UNICEF, WV develops a project “Day Care Center for the Child with Handicap” in Bailesti, Dolj County. It is a project that provides services during the day to 20 handicapped children. It provides support for school integration, specialized care during the day, rehabilitation services, and education.

SENEGAL (Défense des International des enfants)

*Réunion de consultation ou manifestation
 *Distribution d'informations sur le suivi

SLOVENIA (SEECRAN, South East European Child Rights Action Network)

The director of SEECRAN is one of the members of Council for Children and they have already had two meetings in which also the Special Session goals were discussed.

UNICEF invited SEECRAN to prepare one of the sections of the National Action Plan or give comments to the final document. Slovene Committee for UNICEF is preparing the National Action Plan.

SOUTH AFRICA ((RAPCAN) Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect)

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Distributed information on follow-up.

SWITZERLAND (Child & Hospital -Swiss Association for the rights of children and adolescents in health services)

Meeting with NGO organizations for information purposes. No plans of actions yet. Involved were representatives from several departments (foreign office, internal, social depts. etc.) We are studying possibilities to have children participate in our activities, but this will take some further time.

TAJIKISTAN (Save the Children UK Tajikistan Programme)

NGOs and children were involved in the First Children’s Organizations Forum (November 26-29, 2002) which developed guidelines for the National Commission on the Rights of the Child for the development of the NPA.

Save the Children believes that the preparation of the National Plan of Action is a national task, carried out with the Government playing the leading role. We also believe that it should focus on the major problems and unmet needs of children and that such problems and needs should be identified through meaningful participation and involvement of children. Keeping this in mind SC started activities aimed at involvement of children in development of Guidelines to the Government on NPA. A consultation process with children is organised through a research carried out by children’s Working Groups. Children at the National Forum presented the findings of the research. The agenda and the plan for the Forum were discussed with the Steering Group.

Preparation work for the First Children’s Organizations Forum included formation of Steering Group with participation of the National Commission on Child Rights (NCCR), Republican Youth Committee (RYC), NGOs, UNICEF, SC-UK and children. Save the Children drafted a document outlining objectives, agenda and role of stakeholders. The document was shared with the Steering Group. The first meeting of the Steering Group was held on 13th of November and involved various NGOs. During this meeting members of WG agreed on preliminary agenda of the Forum, discussed SC plans on research to be implemented by children, selection procedure and plans for Children’s Working Groups.

Selection of children was based on the following criteria: members of the child-led groups and organisations, members of children’s clubs, children from the vulnerable groups and poor families, representatives from all oblasts of Tajikistan, children familiar to GMC. As a result, we selected 12 children from Khatlon Child Clubs, 10 from Dushanbe CYGs, 6 children from Khodjent, 4 children from GBAO and 10 children Rayons of the Republican Subordination (Hissar, Leninskiy, Shahrinav, Varzob and Faizobad) were invited. Three children were included in the steering committee for the National Forum.

National Forum delegates: There were representatives from all parts of the Republic of Tajikistan . Total number of children and adults facilitators was 42 persons. National Forum participants and guests: they took part only during event day (about 150 persons) from local and international agencies, gov’t structures, CYGs, school children, children from special institutions, mass media people.

We held several consultation meetings, conducted the Bishkek Parallel Special Session and Khatlon Children’s Organizations Forum (South Part of the Republic of Tajikistan) and National Children’s Forum

TANZANIA ((KIWOHEDE) Kiota Womens Health and Development)

Integration of the Yokohama CSEC resolutions into national plan of action; Still in discussions since July 2003. Met with the minister for Community Development for women's and children's Affairs .

Actions: Organised a television and radio programmes; organised children's rallies.

TANZANIA (Plan)

We are following up UNGASS though supporting the Tanzania Movement for and with Children (TMC). The TMC involved international agencies, local NGOs, the government, children and the media. Efforts are being made for private sector to be partners as well.  We have had meetings with host ministry (MCDWAC) and UNICEF with the coordination of TMC.

Actions: Distributed information on follow-up. Promotion of District Children’s council in program areas; Active participation in the establishment of Junior Council whereby some Plan children are members; Translated the publication “World Fit for Children” into Kiswahili.

UNICEF financially and technically supports all the activities organized for UNGASS and plays a major role in mobilizing NGOs in support of the Tanzania Movement for and with Children (TMC) and NOCC. It has:
· Organised a feedback meeting
· Supported publishing of the Swahili version of World Fit for Children
· Supports TMC on all workshops to build Tanzania fit for children
· Support the Junior Council (National Children’s Forum)
· Holds monthly dialogues with children and youth on various issues

THAILAND (Plan Thailand)

We coordinated with the National Committee on Youth Development who has acted as a link between NGO alliances and the government. We have cooperated with NCYD, World Vision and UNICEF in following up on this matter. NGOs may meet to discuss now to influence the NAP in April.

TOGO (SOSVE)

Puisque la séance de restitution n’a pu avoir lieu, les ONG n’ont pas eu d’informations particulières de la part du gouvernement. SOSVE non plus.

UGANDA (Save the Children (UK), Save the Children (Norway), Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN))

The three organizations are active members of the National Planning committee for this activity. We meaningfully participated in the pre-UNGASS and we are now participating in the follow-up activities. The key stakeholders in the government that we have interfaced with include Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of Parliament. The result has been developing a joint plan of action showing the follow-up activities and assigning roles and responsibilities.

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Distributed information on follow-up at both national and district level/local government

The way Uganda has approached it is to bring all stakeholders together and form a National Planning Committee. However, there are networks like the Uganda Child Rights NGO Network, Save the Children and UNICEF and the National Council for Children who are actively involved. UNICEF has been a major player particularly in co-ordinating the National Planning committee but this responsibility has now shifted to the National Council for Children as the body responsible for co-ordinating children's issues in the country.
 

UNITED STATES (Child Welfare League of America)

Actions: Held a consultation meeting or event; Held informal and off-the-record conversations with sympathetic members of the US Congress; Distributed information on follow-up; Formed an organizing group to promote the CRC Actions:

Our organization, with others, has begun organizing an initiative to promote public interest in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a long term process. The US Fund for UNICEF has been very supportive and helpful.  They are party to this organizing effort.

UNITED STATES (Childreach/Plan)

Directly after Special Session we communicated with Rhode Island Senators about our activities and shared with media the results.  Local media covered stories about our young visitors from Africa.

We have sent a letter to the President and it was signed by middle school children.  The letter asked for some substantive follow-up.  There has been no response thus far.

Held a consultation meeting or event -  Remember the Children event post- 9 – 11 created a “quilt” to be submitted to US legislators.

Contacted US Legislators with wishes of the children, and we distributed information via the Media and press coverage directly after UNGASS.

UNITED STATES (Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network)

Contact with Senators Nickles and Inhofe. No results – barely a sympathetic ear.

VENEZUELA  (SOS  ALDEAS  INFANTILES  VENEZUELA)

Hemos tenido contacto con el Ministerio del Trabajo, en funcion de erradicar las peores formas de Trabajo Infantil y para regular la elaboración de Políticas que brinde seguridad social y laboral para los Adolescentesque trabajan. El resultado fue aportar políticas tendientes a proteger legalmente el trabajo de adolescentes y erradicar el trabajo en los niños, niñas y adolescentes con menos de 14 años; se elaboró un documento con las propuestas. En las mesas de trabajo estaban presentes adolescentes trabajadores. Se solicitó la incorporación de un representante del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para la proxima reunion a finales del mes de Febrero.

No, solo en las arriba descritas

INDEX
 

ARMENIA 7
AUSTRIA 7
BELGIUM 8
BENIN 8
BOLIVIA 9
BURKINA FASO 9
CAMEROON 9
CANADA 10
CHILE 10
CHINA 11
COLOMBIA 11
COTE D’IVOIRE 11
ECUADOR 13
EGYPT 13
EL SALVADOR 13
ETHIOPIA 13
FIJI 14
GERMANY 14
GUATEMALA 14
GUINEA 15
HONDURAS 15
INDIA 15
INDONESIA 17
ISRAEL 17
ITALY 17
JORDAN 18
KENYA 18
MALAYSIA 19
MALI 19
MAURITANIA 19
MEXICO 19
MONGOLIA 20
NEPAL 20
NEW ZEALAND 20
NICARAGUA 21
NIGER 21
NIGERIA 22
NORWAY 22
PAKISTAN 22
PALESTINE 23
PARAGUAY 23
PERU 23
REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFICAINE 23
ROMANIA 24
RWANDA 24
SENEGAL 25
SLOVENIA 25
SOUTH AFRICA 26
SWITZERLAND 26
TAJIKISTAN 26
TANZANIA 27
THAILAND 28
TOGO 28
UGANDA 29
UNITED STATES 30
VENEZUELA 30
NGO ACTIONS 31

ALBANIA (CRCA - The Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania) 31
ALBANIA (World Vision) 31

AUSTRALIA (“Give the children a Voice” A Committee of the Adult Survivors of Children ASCA.) 31
AUSTRALIA (SCA-S.O.S! (Survivors of Child Abuse-Supporters Of Survivors!)) 31

AUSTRIA (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights) 31

BELGIUM (COORDINATION DES ONG POUR LES DROITS DE L’ENFANT) 32

BENIN (Association béninoise d’assistance à l’enfant et à  la famille (ABAEF)) 32
BENIN (Plan International) 32

BOLIVIA (FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA) 32

BULGARIA (Save the Children UK, Bulgaria Programme) 33

BURKINA FASO (Plan Burkina Faso) 33

BURUNDI (SOS-KINDERDORF INTERNATIONAL) 33

CAMEROON (Plan Cameroon) 34

CANADA (Results-Resultats Canada) 34
CANADA (Save the Children Canada) 34

CHILE (Corporación OPCION) 34

CHINA (The Committee of PCAN and CRC of STA) 35

COTE D’IVOIRE (Villages d’Enfants SOS) 35

ECUADOR (Plan – Program Office Ecuador) 36

EGYPT (NGO Coalition on Child Rights) 36

EL SALVADOR (Plan Internacional, El Salvador) 36

ETHIOPIA (Save the Children Alliance members working in Ethiopia) 36

FIJI (Save the Children Fiji) 37

FRANCE (FNO) 37

GERMANY (Kindernothilfe) 37
GERMANY (National Coalition for the implementation for children's rights in Germany (NC)) 38

GRENADA (Grensave) 38

GUATEMALA (FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA) 38
GUATEMALA (Movimiento Social por los Derechos de la Niñez y Juventud de Guatemala (Social Movement for the Rights of Children and Youth of Guatemala), and CIPRODENI (Coordinadora Institucional de Promoción de los Derechos de la Niñez -  Institutional Coordination for the Promotion of Child Rights)) 38
GUATEMALA (Plan) 38

GUINEA (Association des Villages d’Enfants SOS de Guinée) 39

HAITI (Coalition Haitienne pour la Défense des Droits de l’enfant (COHADDE)) 39

HONDURAS (Plan Honduras) 39

INDIA (India Alliance for Child Rights) 39
INDIA (Plan) 40

INDONESIA (Save the Children UK-Indonesia) 40

IRELAND (Children’s Rights Alliance) 40

ISRAEL (DCI Israel) 41

ITALY (Mani Tese) 41
ITALY (PIDIDA (National Coalition for Children's Rights)) 41

JORDAN (SOS Children’s Village Association of Jordan) 41

KENYA (ANPPCAN (African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect)) 42

KOREA (Republic of) (World Vision Korea) 42

LEBANON (National Rehabilitation and Development Center) 42
LEBANON (SeSoBEL) 42

MALAYSIA (Malaysian Child Resource Institute) 42

MALI (Plan Mali) 42

MAURITANIA (Association Enfants et Développement en Mauritanie) 43

MAURITIUS (APEIM) 43

MEXICO (Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en Mexico) 43

MONGOLIA (World Vision Mongolia) 44

NEPAL (CWIN (Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre)) 44

NEW ZEALAND (Save the Children New Zealand (SCNZ)) 45
NEW ZEALAND (UNICEF New Zealand) 45

NICARAGUA (Plan International Nicaragua) 45

NIGER (Plan) 46
NIGER (Village d’Enfants SOS) 46

NIGERIA (Save the Children UK) 46

NORWAY (Forum for the Convention on the Rights of the Child – Norway) 46

PAKISTAN (Plan Pakistan) 46

PALESTINE (DCI  Defence for Children International / Palestine Section) 47

PARAGUAY (Plan) 47

REPUBLIQUE CENTRAFICAINE (SOS Villages d’Enfants de Centrafrique) 47

ROMANIA  (World Vision International- Romania branch) 48

SENEGAL (Défense des International des enfants) 48

SLOVENIA (SEECRAN, South East European Child Rights Action Network) 48

SOUTH AFRICA ((RAPCAN) Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) 48

SWITZERLAND (Child & Hospital -Swiss Association for the rights of children and adolescents in health services) 48

TAJIKISTAN (Save the Children UK Tajikistan Programme) 48

TANZANIA ((KIWOHEDE) Kiota Womens Health and Development) 49
TANZANIA (Plan) 49

THAILAND (Plan Thailand) 50

TOGO (SOSVE) 50

UGANDA (Save the Children (UK), Save the Children (Norway), Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN)) 50

UNITED STATES (Child Welfare League of America) 51
UNITED STATES (Childreach/Plan) 51
UNITED STATES (Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network) 51

VENEZUELA  (SOS  ALDEAS  INFANTILES  VENEZUELA) 51