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Summary: Published by The African Child Policy Forum, Plan International, Save the Children and the Africa Wide Movement for Children.
[ADDIS ABABA, 20 April 2009] - The First Civil Society Forum on the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACEWRC) was staged in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 17-19 April, 2009. The aim of the meeting, which was held prior to the Committee's 13th session, was to discuss ways for civil society to support the Committee's work. During the meeting, participants developed recommendations for the Committee, States and civil society organisations on communications, alternative reporting, rules of procedure and the Committee's action plan. NGOs which have already submitted alternative reports or communications also shared their experiences. The forum, which drew sixty participants from across the continent, including representatives from the Committee, will now be held as a regular event. The meeting was organised by a group of child rights NGOs including: The African Child Policy Forum, The Africa-Wide Movement for Children, African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect, Plan International and Save the Children Alliance, in collaboration with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Further information