“Eradicate Early and Forced Marriages”: The 2011 International Congress for the World Campaign

Aware of this disturbing situation, authorities have put in place a programmatic framework promoting the abandonment of forced and early marriages, which has been achieved through the creation of documents on national strategies and plans of action. Many NGOs and Associations of Civil Society Organisations have implemented interventions promoting the eradication of such practice in reference to this strategy. However, one cannot overlook the fact that each intervention was conducted with its own individual approach, programme and field of action, and without any mutual coordination, which has made it difficult to evaluate results in this sphere.

In order to face these challenges and work toward the complete eradication of early and forced marriages before 2020, Yellitaare, African Empowerment and a Group of USC faculty members are organizing an international congress in Los Angeles (October 26th , 27th & 28th ) which will address these issues.

The main goal of the international conference is to develop international exchanges and collaborations between its participants – government institutions, policymakers and legislators, NGO’s representatives, journalists and other individuals working in the media, victims, health specialists, practitioners, African First Ladies, academic researchers.

The congress specific goals are defined and articulated according to three essential points:

• Examine the methods for establishing the Global movement of NGOs and organisations involved in forced marriages in order to revitalise and enhance the effectiveness of their interventions through a collaborative synergy.
• Exchange of best practices, lessons learned at the national and international levels and to establish a code of good practices for the international community of organisations intervening on the issue of early and forced marriages.
• Develop and reinforce alliances between NGOs and multilateral agencies involved in the same regions for greater synergy of actions and efficient use of available resources.

REGISTRATION

Advance registration is recommended. Attendance is limited, and registrations will be honored in the order of the date received. Registration fee includes instruction materials, cultural and social events, and all conference meals and refreshments. Registrations will not be processed without payment.

Please register online by clicking here.