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Summary: The Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) will meet with members in Nepal, Kenya and the UK in order to better understand the information needs and challenges of its constituent members. [... full text below] CRIN organises consultations with members in Nepal, Kenya and the UK in order to understand the ‘digital divide’ (London UK, 8 January 2002) – The Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) will meet with members in Nepal, Kenya and the UK in order to better understand the information needs and challenges of its constituent members. “The aim is to listen and learn from the experiences of our members so that we can identify examples of best practice, as well as appropriate strategies for information management and dissemination.” “At a time when there are increased calls for a partnership between development and technology, CRIN is aiming to get a first-hand understanding of the ‘digital divide’ that exists between its members in places such as Kenya and Nepal, and members in the UK.” This consultation comes at a stage when CRIN is truly developing a key position within the Child Rights community. Building on the strength and expertise of each individual member (of which there are currently over 1200 internationally) and supported by a small, but dedicated, coordinating unit, the network is increasingly moving towards fulfulling its mandate: the promotion and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child through active and participatory information exchange, creation and dissemination. Recent work has seen CRIN playing an important role providing information and news coverage of the preparatory process of the Special Session on Children at regional and international level. It is also developing a position as an integral part of the burgeoning Global Movement for Children, as it already encapsulates the spirit of this movement through the breadth and depth of its membership across the globe. In addition, CRIN is fronting issues relating to the means in which information relating to child rights is best disseminated, responding to the different situations and needs of different stakeholders across the network. Currently, CRIN intends to start this process with two consultations: one in Nepal and one in Kenya. Each of these will bring together approximately six to eight representatives of CRIN’s membership in that location, illustrating both the range and diversity of organisations advocating for child rights world- wide. CRIN’s membership is already indicative of this diversity, including community-based organisations, national child rights coalitions and international NGOs such as Save the Children and intergovernmental agencies, such as UNICEF. Details of the consultations are as follows: City Kathmandu, Nepal Nairobi, Kenya London, England Date January 23 and 24 January 29 and 30 In the Spring. Details to be finalised. Time 10 am to 5 pm 10 am to 5 pm Location To be finalised To be finalised The consultations form a part of an ongoing research programme to examine both the actual use and potential use of technology in the child rights community. This research programme is jointly undertaken by CRIN and Leeds Metropolitan University’s School of Information Management, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Board. Other components of the research programme include a survey of CRIN’s full membership plus a follow-up survey, focus group with initiating members of the network, and interviews with CRIN staff and management. The research builds on consultations and research in 1997 and 1999.