International NGO Council on Violence against Children

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Role

The International NGO Council on Violence Against Children was formed in 2007 to support strong and effective follow-up to the UN Study on Violence against Children. Its central role was to work closely with the SRSG to ensure civil society participation in the follow up activities.

The Council is no longer in operation.

The Council

The Council was composed of 19 members:

  • Ten Members representing international NGOs, and
  • Nine Members selected at regional level representing national and regional NGOs.

International representatives were nominated by INGOs and selected based on the representative’s/organisation’s commitment to the study, expertise on violence against children, ability to relate to broader networks during the follow-up, past history of participation in the study process, and potential contribution to the follow-up process. Regional members were elected based on the same criteria. Each region organises its own appointment process.

Activities include:

  1. Encouraging and facilitating NGO involvement at national, regional and international levels in follow-up advocacy with governments, UN agencies and others for full implementation of the UNSG’s Study recommendations;
  2. Working with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children  in identifying key priorities and developing follow-up activities and strategies to ensure effective implementation of the Study’s recommendations; 
  3. Identifying and transmitting important information regarding VAC from the field level to the SRSG and other appropriate UN bodies; 
  4. Using and strengthening existing information channels and networks (e.g. CRIN, Child Rights Connect (formerly NGO Group for the CRC) Working Group on violence against children, etc.) to inform the child rights NGO community regarding the follow-up to the UNSG’s Study on VAC and its implementation;
  5. Supporting the SRSG in developing a mechanism for the participation of children and young people in follow up activities 
  6. Participating in the monitoring of the implementation of the Study’s recommendations by member states
  7. Developing advocacy tools for national NGOs in order to monitor the implementation of the Study's recommendations.

Members:

Jo Becker, Human Rights Watch

Peter Newell, Global Initiative to End all Corporal Punishment of Children

Arelys Bellorini,  World Vision International

Ileana Bello, Defence for Children International

Theo Noten, ECPAT International, Co-Chair

Carolina Barbara, World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)

Nidhi Pundhir, Plan International

Cristina Barbaglia, Save the Children

Veronica Yates, Child Rights International Network (CRIN), Co-Chair

Joan van Niekerk, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN)

 

Regional Representatives

North America: TBD

South Asia: A.K.M. Masud Ali, INCIDIN Bangladesh

West and Central Africa: Mr MALLY Kwadjo Essediaba, WAO Afrique (Action to stop child exploitation), Lomé, Togo.

Latin America: Milena Grillo, Fundacion PANIAMOR, Costa Rica

The Caribbean: Silvia Mazzarelli, VIS/MDB, Dominican Republic

East and Southern Africa: Judith Mulenga, Zambia Civic Education Association, Zambia, Co-Chair

East Asia & Pacific: Amihan Abueva, Child Rights Coalition Asia

Middle East and North Africa: TBD

Europe and Central Asia: Thomas Mueller, Child Helpline International, The Netherlands