Member News and Events
Each month our members share their latest news, achievements, events and plans. Check in regularly to stay up to date about our members and what we’re all working on. News is posted under the month it is received and then alphabetically.
November 2014 News
Women’s World Summit Foundation
The WWSF Children-Youth Section is pleased to launch the 2014 Call to Action & Prevention Kit (4th edition) for the “19 Days of Activism for prevention of violence against children and youth 1-19 November”, a campaign ending on World Day – 19 November. The Kit includes a list of 19 abuse themes, which need urgent prevention measures, as well as information and ideas for action. The 2014 main theme is about “Addiction and Substance Abuse”.Read More
More information can be found in this communique and on the WWSF website.
September 2014 News
INGO Ponimanie
International NGO Ponimanie (Belarus) is a co-recipient of the 2014 ISPCAN Multidisciplinary Team Award
The award will be presented at the XX ISPCAN International Congress in Nagoya, Japan, that will be held 14-17 September 2014. Read More
The keystone of Child Protection System that Ponimanie is striving to build in Belarus is the United Child Protection Model. The Model unites all the elements of child protection system into the one logical chain – from Prevention to Rehabilitation, with emphasis on Treatment/Clinical Component of Intervention. Based on CAC++ (Children’s Advocacy Center plus several important components) approach, United Child Protection Model fits for countries of low and middle income per capita as it has high cost efficiency due to reduced indirect costs with keeping excellent quality of support.
There remains a lot to be done in the field of child protection in order that children feel absolutely secured and have each and every possibility for full and harmonious development.
August 2014 News
International Institute for Child Rights and Development
Child Protection in Development (CPID) Course: Creative Approaches to Engaging Young People in Social Change
August 23-26, 2014 9 am – 4:30 pm, Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC, Canada.
The International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD) is offering a four day training course, offering tangible tools and approaches for Aboriginal youth leaders and practitioners working with Aboriginal youth, to engage with young people and community members to create social change.
Registration is now open until July 4th, 2014, by email: info@iicrd.org
For more information, please visit CPID: http://www.cpid.iicrd.org/events/creative-approaches-engaging-young-people-social-change-0
July 2014 News
CRIN
Launch of new campaign on children’s right to information: “Protect children, end censorship”
A disturbing trend among states to limit children’s access to information is gaining force, with sex education, sexuality and drug use the main targets. In a recently published paper, “Access Denied: Protect children’s rights unblock access to information”, CRIN explains that much of the information being denied to children in fact equips them with the knowledge to protect themselves against risk, learn to think critically and make informed choices. Read More
The campaign recognises that children should indeed be protected but disproportionate restrictions on children’s access to information fuel the notion that children are blank canvases to be painted by adults, rather than human beings with rights, views and feelings of their own, and fail to support them to flourish.
CRIN is calling for stronger international standards, guidelines and model laws on children’s access to information by the United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms. CRIN is also urging national governments to review and revise laws and policies that block
children’s access to information. Any restrictions on children’s access to information should be transparent and in line with all children’s rights as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Further information:
● CRIN’s campaign: Protect Children, End Censorship
● Download the press release (in both English and Russian)
● Policy paper: Access Denied: Protect rights unblock
children’s access to information
● Twitter hashtag: #1984children
Defensa de Niñas y Niños Internacional – Costa Rica
DNI Costa Rica would like to share its calendar with events happening until the end of the year including celebrations of the 20th anniversary of DNI in central america, the 25th anniversary of the CRC and the 35th anniversary of DCI International.
Open the calendar of events.
Defence for Children International
Defense for Children International-Palestine mourns the death of a staff member, Hashem Khader Abu Maria, 45, killed today by Israeli forces while peacefully participating in a solidarity march with Gaza.Read More
June 2014 News
Plan International
Universal Birth Registration
Plan International has launched several important new research reports on birth registration as a part of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS). In these materials, Plan brings together its experience on birth registration in the field with broader research on the topic, in order to present evidence-based recommendations for how to improve CRVS systems worldwide and ensure universal birth registration for every child. Read More
- The first report, based on research conducted in India, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Vietnam, shows the complex interrelationship between children’s rights and birth registration.
- The second report focuses specifically on birth registration in emergencies. In such circumstances, children are especially vulnerable to abuse, and a functional CRVS system, including birth registration can help build a protective environment for children.
Plan International is continuing its efforts, at all levels of its activities, to eliminate child marriage in a generation. In Geneva, Plan participated in the first ever high-level panel discussion on child, early and forced marriage during the 26th session of the Human Rights Council. Read More
In Africa, youth delegates from all over the continent staged a takeover of the African Union, demanding Governments to increase educational opportunities for girls. The takeover featured a film called “Girls Interrupted”, which emphasizes the negative effects of child marriage as a barrier to education for girls.
May 2014 News
Child Soldiers International
Chad: Un enfant ne doit pas être un soldat!
In cooperation with UNICEF Chad, Child Soldiers International has created a booklet illustrated by a Chadian artist, which outlines key concepts relating to children’s rights and child recruitment. It focuses on international laws applicable in Chad as well as Chadian national and military policies prohibiting the military recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. Read More
India must take urgent steps to implement the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to prevent and end child recruitment, says Child Soldiers International. The CRC’s recent assessment of India’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC) identifies serious gaps in legislative and policy measures to address child recruitment and use in India.Read More
Research conducted by Child Soldiers International in August 2013, and submitted to the CRC in the form of a alternative report, reflects similar concerns.
Child Soldiers International urges the Indian authorities to comply with their legally binding obligations under OPAC and promptly implement the CRC’s recommendations. Further information on these recommendations can be found here.
ECPAT
ECPAT celebrates 24 years fighting against modern slavery
ECPAT was born on 1 May 1990, when a few good people came together with a common concern for children caught in modern slavery. It was clear that there was a growing trend in the use of children for sex tourism – not a topic that many wanted to acknowledge, much less address, at that time. Over the next few years a committed few worked strenuously to break through the culture of silence and, as their voices were increasingly heard, groups from around the world joined, transforming ECPAT into a global network dedicated to ending all manifestations of commercial child sexual exploitation.Read More
More than two decades after its humble beginnings, despite facing increasingly widespread and complex challenges, ECPAT is still committed to combating modern slavery.
TRACK
Over 90% of children adopted in Korea come from unmarried mothers. In 2011, Truth and Reconciliation for the Adoption Community of Korea (TRACK) launched the annual Single Moms’ Day Conference as a response to the discrimination against unwed mothers and their children and to challenge the Korean Government’s Adoption Day, which violated children’s rights by prioritising adoption over support for single parent families. Read More
The public and political reactions have been largely positive with greater attention placed on children and family issues. It has also served to show that single parent households are families too and deserve protection and support from the Korean Government.
As one of TRACK’s goals was to promote support for unmarried mothers among Korean civil society, we are pleased to announce that with the closing of the 4th Single Moms’ Day (2014), we have handed over the leadership to the Korean organisations that supported unmarried mothers and single parent families.
Single Moms Day Programme
2012: http://www.adoptionjustice.com/2012-single-moms-day-booklet/
2011: http://www.adoptionjustice.com/2011-single-moms-day-booklets-for-download/
Advancing children’s rights through the UPR
The Permanent Mission of Slovenia, together with UNICEF, Child Rights Connect, Child Rights Information Network (CRIN), Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision cordially invite you to save the date, Monday 5 May 2014, for a panel discussion on “ADVANCING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW: ACHIEVEMENTS, CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED” Read More
The success of the UPR largely depends on the quality of the UPR recommendations and on the capacity of the government and civil society to take ownership of the UPR process and work collectively towards their implementation. To make the UPR work for children, they must be at the forefront of monitoring and reporting efforts and considered key partners in all phases of the UPR process.
The event will take place at lunchtime in the Palais des Nations. More information and a formal invitation will follow.
Refreshments will be provided.
April 2014 News
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
Parliamentarians urged to help increase children’s access to HIV treatment. On 17 March 2014, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) stressed the importance of ensuring children’s access to HIV treatment at a gathering of parliamentarians in Geneva. Read More
More than 500 children die every day due to HIV infection. Without treatment, 80 percent die before their fifth birthday. Despite this, children are accessing HIV treatment at only about half the rate of adults – 34 percent of children needing HIV medicines receive them, while 64 percent of adults do.
Philip O’Brien, Executive Vice-President of EGPAF, said, “The need to scale up access to HIV treatment is not only clear – it is an emergency. And the role of parliamentarians in helping us to achieve this is critical. Without political support and action, we will not be able to achieve the gains that are so desperately needed to keep these children alive and help them to flourish.”
Ms. Thabitha Khumalo, MP from Zimbabwe, spoke movingly to fellow parliamentarians of her own experiences in witnessing the toll that HIV is taking on children in Africa, and the difficulties in ensuring that they have access to medicines that are child-friendly and palatable. “We risk sentencing a generation of children to death if we do not do more to ensure their right to the medications that will help keep them alive and healthy,” she said. “These children are the same ones who could one day be sitting in our seats in parliament – but only if we give them a chance.”
Parliamentarians expressed appreciation for having this issue brought to their attention, and pledged to follow up upon their return home. Some said that they were not aware of the disparity in access to treatment by children versus adults, and expressed dismay. However, as one parliamentarian said, “I am taking this as a challenge to go back home and sit with the AIDS committee in my parliament to see what we can do to take better care of our children living with HIV.”
Eurochild
Eurochild Annual Conference to focus on better public spending for children. The European Commission Recommendation ‘Investing in Children: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage’ sends a clear message that, even in times of budget consolidation, governments must invest in services and policies that support children, enabling them to realise their full potential.Read More
Eurochild’s Annual Conference, “Better Public Spending for Better Outcomes for Children & Families”, will take place in Bucharest from 26 to 28 November and will bring together key stakeholders to discuss how to achieve better public spending putting the child’s interest at the centre. Participants will include members from different European governments, civil society, business and private sector representatives, and philanthropic and inter-governmental organisations.
The conference will have a number of cross-cutting themes: social return on investment, the relationship between the public and private sector, transparency and accountability of public spending, and evaluation methodologies.
In addition to gaining a better understanding of how to monitor the effectiveness and impact of particular interventions to support children and families, the conference will also address questions around best use of the resources available, taking a more global picture of public expenditure.
Given the particular expertise and interest of Eurochild members, public expenditure will be explored in more detail in three thematic areas: early childhood education and care, family and parenting support, and children at risk or in care.
A background paper will be prepared to set the framework for the discussions during the conference, highlighting cross-cutting issues and thematic context.
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
The Dreams of First Nations Young People Matter Too. First Nations children want the same opportunities to grow up safely at home, be healthy, achieve their dreams, celebrate their languages and culture and be proud of who they are. We can all stand with First Nations children so they have the same chances as all other children in Canada. Read More
Our Dreams Matter Too (ODMT) is a walk and letter writing event on June 11 supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children. People and organizations across Canada have participated in ODMT by planning walks across the country to deliver letters to mailboxes in their communities. Register your walk and learn more at: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/our-dreams-matter-too.
In 2007, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations filed a human rights complaint against the Government of Canada (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada). The complaint alleges that AANDC provides less child welfare funding on reserves resulting in an overrepresentation of First Nations children in the care of child welfare. The case is being heard at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and continues with dates in May and closing arguments July 7-11, 2014. Be a witness to this historic case and watch in person or watch it on APTN (http://aptn.ca/news/tag/kids-in-care/). For more information on the case, visit www.fnwitness.ca or contact the Caring Society at info@fncaringsociety.com.
IFCO
2014 European Conference has been re-opened. Waterford City in Ireland has become an alternative location for the conference, following cancellation of the event in Kyiv, Ukraine – previously announced as IFCO 2014 hosts – due to current political and social crisis there. Read More
Important dates
· Outline paper submission closes: April 30, 2014
· Authors notified of acceptance: May 12, 2014
· Provisional Programme: May 20, 2014
INGO “Ponimanie”
“Safe Belarus and CIS Region for Children” Conference Takes Place in Minsk. Professionals from Belarus and abroad will meet April 23-24 in Minsk in the framework of the Fifth International Conference “Safe Belarus and CIS Region for Children”, organized by the INGO “Ponimanie”. Read More
- Managing the work of Child Helplines: CIS Region and international experience
- Child-friendly investigation and interviews: CIS Region and international experience
- Methods of treatment and rehabilitation of children suffered from child abuse and neglect: CIS Region and international experience
The organizers of the Conference will particularly focus on the United Child Protection Model that is developing in Belarus. Only in 2013 the United Model provided direct service delivery in 389 cases of child sexual abuse, and over 2,200 cases of criminal physical abuse towards children.
The United Model of Child Protection is a comprehensive technological chain aiming to help abused children and their families. It consists of Child Helpline Belarus 8-801-100-1611 – the entering point of information into the system, child-friendly interviewing rooms across all 7 regions of Belarus, Child Protection Medical Center (Barnahus of A-type), Center for Missing and exploited children.
International Catholic Child Bureau (ICCB / BICE)
BICE recently released two publications. Read More
PROMOTING PARENTING SKILLS AND RESILIENCE, Supporting Women who Survived Violence in their Role as Mothers, Paris 2013. In English only. http://www.bice.org/images/pieces-jointes/PDFs/4.actualites/1.dernieres-actualites/2014/BICE_promoting_parental_skills_resilience_english.pdf
– Conference organised by ADDIMA in Zaragoza on « Resilience and Humour. », Zaragoza (Spain).
– Workshop organised by ADDIMA in Zaragoza on “Humour. Sense and Sensitivity”, Zaragoza (Spain).
Regional seminar in Lima, Peru, 31 March-3 April 2014 on “Juvenile justice: restorative approach to the reintegration of adolescents in conflict with the law in Latin America”:
http://www.minjus.gob.pe/ultimas-noticias/noticias-destacadas/minjus-presento-plan-para-el-tratamiento-del-adolescente-en-conflicto-con-la-ley-penal-en-seminario-regional/
BICE launched an on-line campaign entitled “Stop Harassment on the Internet”. Individuals and NGOs are encouraged to join the campaign and sign up here http://www.bice.org/en/news/news/campaign-stop-harassment-on-the-internet.html
BICE initiated an advocacy campaign prior to the review of Chile (http://www.bice.org/en/advocacy/bice-and-the-rights-of-the-child/advocacy-news/1616-child-rights-in-chile-could-do-better.html) under UPR mechanism and Russian Federation (http://www.bice.org/en/advocacy/bice-and-the-rights-of-the-child/advocacy-news/1638-children-s-rights-in-rusia-under-examination-by-the-un.html) by the CRC in January 2014.
BICE participated in a Radio Program on birth registration on Radio France Internationale (RFI) http://www.bice.org/en/advocacy/bice-and-the-rights-of-the-child/advocacy-news/1601-bice-advocates-theright-of-all-children-to-be-registered-at-birth.html
Internet Watch Foundation
The fight against online child sexual abuse content – IWF 2013 Annual Report — The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is the UK hotline for reporting online child sexual abuse content. On 7 April 2014, the IWF released its 2013 Annual Report which shows an increase of 31% of reports processed by the hotline in 2013 compared to 2012. Read More
The IWF works with partners around the globe to improve the fight against online child sexual abuse content. Among others, the IWF is part of the Steering Group of the Commonwealth Cybercrime Initiative; the ITU’s Child Online Protection Initiative; the IGF’s Dynamic Coalition on Child Online Protection; the European Financial Coalition; and Child Rights Connect. In addition, the IWF developed a Countrywide Assessment Template for combatting online child sexual abuse content which was adopted by the ITU, as well as a practical back-office solution (OCSARP – Online Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Portal) to help countries without a hotline.
Plan International
Plan has been gearing up for the first ever Human Rights Council panel discussion on child, early and forced marriage at the June session of the Council in Geneva. On 3 March, during the 25th session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with Plan and others co-organised a high-level panel debate on child marriage, set against the backdrop of the powerful Too Young to Wed exhibition. Read More
Attended by over 250 people, the debate helped raise the issue of child marriage at the UN and has hopefully sparked an increased interest for the June panel discussion.
On Thursday 10th of April, Plan together with the Youth Advocacy Group launched a new advocacy toolkit for youth advocates. The Youth Advocacy Group is part of the UN Secretary-General’s Global Initiative on Education, working towards making education accessible to all children. Read More
We encourage you to use this toolkit and disseminate it to ensure that more young people have the tools necessary to take an active role in shaping their future.
Ratify OP3 CRC Coalition
A panel featuring representatives from States and the Ratify OP3 CRC Coalition was held at the UN headquarters in New York to celebrate this key moment for access to justice by children. Read More
The panel was broadcasted live on Monday 14 April from 1.15 pm to 2.30 pm New York time (GMT-5).
Terre des Hommes International Federation
WORLD CONGRESS ON JUVENILE JUSTICE Switzerland and the Terre des hommes Foundation are pleased to announce the joint organisation of the WORLD CONGRESS ON JUVENILE JUSTICE at the International Conference Center of Geneva (26-30 January 2015). Read More
The Congress aims at promoting the implementation of these norms and standards through the exchange of experiences, innovations and best practices.
– Governments are invited to present achievements in juvenile justice (legislative, pilot project, innovations, lessons learned, etc.), to share challenges, to discuss implementation of measures as well as articulate needs and/or proposals for regional and international cooperation.
– Juvenile justice professionals (judges, magistrates, prosecutors, academics, penitentiary administration, social services, police, lawyers, etc.) are invited to expose their lessons learnt and their proposals;
– International organisations, United Nations Agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in the field of Juvenile justice, in order to strengthen their coordination capacities.
Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva : mission-geneve-oi@eda.admin.ch
Terre des hommes Foundation : JJ2015@tdh.ch
World Congress website in English
War Child Holland
War Child Holland: Syria Child Rights Situation Analysis, January 2014. In 2013, War Child Holland conducted a participatory Child Rights Situation Analysis (CRSA) with 400 boys and girls living in different communities in Syria to find out about matters of greatest concern to them. Read More
“Nowhere is safe. Even the places where we feel happy are not safe.” Child, Rural Damascus
The most important issues that children in Syria identified related to violations of their rights to protection, education, healthcare, nutrition and play. Fear was commonly reported by children as a factor restricting the fulfilment of their rights and their ability to enjoy their childhood. The children also voiced their perception of widespread discrimination in access to resources and services in Syria.
The full report recommends that programmes in Syria better address the needs of children by ensuring the creation of safe places for them to gather and to access support services on a fair and equal basis. It also recommends that partnerships and cooperation with existing community based groups and structures is prioritized, and that children from the host and displaced community, as well as Syrian and refugee children are integrated and involved.
March 2014 News
Making Children’s Access to Justice a Reality
The Permanent missions of Albania, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Germany, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand, together with Ratify OP3CRC-International Coalition for the OPCRC on a Communications procedure organised a side event on “Making Children’s Access to Justice a Reality: the Third Optional Protocol to the UN CRC”.
The event took place on Thursday 13 March at 1pm, Room XXI of Palais des Nations.
The Extent of the Child Protection Emergency in Syria
A side event from Child Rights Connect members Defence for Children International and War Child Holland was organised on the 11 March at Palais de Nations, 2:30-4:30pm
December 2013 News
First Global Forum on Statelessness
To be held in September 2014, with a focus on stateless children
Read More
Submission deadline for presenters was 1 December 2013. Presentations relating to Stateless children, a subtheme, were especially welcome. The content could focus on the implementation of Article 7 of the CRC (that every child has the right to be registered immediately after birth and the right to a nationality) or how to protect stateless children from abuse exploitation and violations of other rights, as they are especially vulnerable.
More details can be found here.
International Play Association
19th IPA World Conference to be held in Turkey in May 2014
Read More
More Information and Conference Registration can be found here.