About the Child Rights Caucus

Summary: The purpose of the meeting is to promote full implementation and compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to ensure that child rights are given priority during the Special Session on Children and its Preparatory process.

Purpose: To promote full implementation and compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to ensure that child rights are given priority during the Special Session on Children and its Preparatory process. Participation: An email list includes more than 150 individuals and groups. Contact details

Activities to date 1. The Caucus developed in October 2000 a 'Child Rights Agenda for the Coming Decade' highlighting key issues and recommendations to be addressed by the Special Session. * For Spanish translation click here * For French translation click here * Key issues and recommendations to be addressed includes birth registration, children and the justice system, participation, poverty, education, health, disability, support for parents and families, armed conflict, violence against children, child labour and slavery, sexual exploitation and trafficking. The document was the result of extensive consultation among NGOs both during and for two months after the PrepCom. 2. In October 2000, the 'Child Rights Agenda for the Coming Decade' was transmitted to all governments and UN missions in New York, with a cover letter urging them to ensure that the rights outlined are fully reflected in the outcome of the Special Session. 3. Representatives of the Caucus have also had meetings with representatives of UNICEF, primarily to discuss the 'New Global Agenda for Children' document that UNICEF is preparing for presentation to governments prior to the Second PrepCom in January 2001. A "consultation group" was selected from the Caucus to continue working with UNICEF on the Global Agenda. 4. At the Second Substantive Session of Preparatory Committee for UN General Assembly Special Session on Children (dated 29 January to 2 February 2001), the Child Rights Caucus secured agreed on a position paper and alternative text. These are included below, along with a statement made at the Special Session · Statement at NGO Consultation Day. Dated 28 January 2001. Delivered by Bill Bell, Member of the Child Rights Caucus Co-ordinating Group. Click here to read the full statement (pdf format). · Position paper on draft provisional outcome document. Dated 31 January 2001. Click here to read (pdf format). · Alternative text to draft provisional outcome document. Dated 2 February 2001. Click here to read (pdf format).