AFRICA: Civil Society Forum on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Summary: This page provides information on the Civil Society Forum on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

The forum, which is now held prior to every session of the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, supports the work of the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and provides a strong platform for child rights information and advocacy in the region.

Forum 3 (11-13 March 2010)

• Special edition of CRINMAIL on child rights in Africa
• Read summaries from Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3
• Read the Forum's recommendations to the African Committee in English and French
• Interview with Ms. Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhaté, Chairperson of the Committee
• Read the civil society commitment to action drafted at the forum
• Read the Communique on Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development
  The Communiqué will be presented at the 15th session of the African Union will host to be held in Kampala, Uganda from 19-27 July 2010 (tentative date).

Forum 2 (11-12 November 2010)

• Full report from Forum 2 
• Read daily summaries from the event

Forum 1 (17-19 April 2009)

• Full report from Forum 1
• Read daily summaries from the event
• Civil society recommendations for African Committee's action plan

More on how to participate in the African system

• Advancing Children’s Rights: A Guide for Civil Society Organisations on how to engage with the African child rights committee (Save the Children and Plan International, April 2009)
• African Committee: Elections 2010 – Information for NGOs

More information on the African Committee

• Search CRIN's database for all State party reports to the Committee as well as Concluding Observations issued by the Committee
• African Committee: Factfile 2010
• Session 15: Opening - Special session on violence against children
• Report on session 14: English - French  
• African Charter: Guidelines for the consideration of communications provided for in Article 44 English - French
• Guidelines for Initial State Party Reports: English - French
• Critieria for Granting Observer Status: English - French
• Guidelines on the Conduct of Investigations by the African Committee English - French
• Procedures for the Consideration of State Party Reports: English - French