The All- Africa Consultative meeting of Child Rights,
Youth and Human Rights Organisations
13 May 2006 – UN Conference Centre
The last decade and a half has witnessed the emergence of numerous organisations, networks and associations working for the promotion and realisation of child rights and welfare in Africa. The approach pursued by the various organisations and groups to achieve this goal has been varied, and ranged from the direct provision of services and support at the grassroots level to campaigns and advocacy work to effect policy and attitudinal changes at the societal and national level. And much has been accomplished by these organisations in improving the lives and conditions of children. However, more needs and can be done, and the challenge of promoting more effectively the rights and welfare of the child in Africa requires concerted effort and greater collaboration among all concerned.
The Forum used the opportunity provided by the Second International Policy Conference on the African Child: Violence against Girls in Africa ( May 11-12, 2006) and the presence of a significant number of child rights, youth and human rights organisations to initiate discussions on how to improve collaboration for the greater cause of the well-being and welfare of Africa’s children. Hence the All Africa Consultative meeting of Child Rights, Youth and Human Rights Organizations on Saturday morning, May 13, 2006.
This meeting was organised in collaboration with partners especially the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANNPCAN), the Coalition of NGOs working for Children in Africa (CONAFE) and The Uganda Child Rights National Network.
This meeting intended to foster and strengthen a continent-wide movement for and on behalf of children and youth in Africa and to develop:
- Strategies on how to increase effective networking and coordination among all concerned
- Ways to promote the (implementation of the) African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Provisional Programme
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9.00 -11.00 Plenary Session
Chair: Prof. Paulo Pinheiro, Independent Expert for the UN Secretary-General's
Study on Violence against Children
Introductory Remarks: Dr Assefa Bequele, Executive Director, The African Child Policy Forum
Session Topic: Fostering and strengthening an Africa-wide movement for
children: Perspectives, Rationale and Mechanisms
Keynote Speakers:
- Dr Philista Onyango, Executive Director, African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN)
- Dr Moussa Sissoko, President, Coalition of NGOs working for Children in Africa (CONAFE).
Discussants
- Ms. Stella Ayo-Odongo, National Coordinator, Uganda Child Rights NGO Network
- Fabrizio Terenzio, ENDA TM, Equipe Jeunesse Action, Senegal
Discussion
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 – 12:30 Plenary discussion continued: The Way Forward
12:30 – 13:00 Views of Partner Organisations
- Per Engebak, Regional Director, UNICEF (ESARO)
- Ms. Irene Mingasson, European Union
- Mr. David Muthungu, Regional Director, Southern and Eastern Africa, Plan International
- Ms. Lena Karlsson, Global Advisor, Save the Children Sweden
- Ms. Ingrid Lofstrom Berg, Swedish International Development Agency
13:00 Lunch
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