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Summary: Here is a short list of questions you can use to guide your deliberations and actions in this period leading up to the third Prepcom due to take place on June 11-15, 2001. NGO GROUP FOR THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD THE UN SPECIAL SESSION ON CHILDREN A CHECKLIST FOR NATIONAL CHILD RIGHTS COALITIONS The second Prepcom leading up to the UN Special Session on Children recently came to a close. Based on those deliberations, new work is on the way at the international, regional and national levels and in many areas, not least of all the Outcome Paper which governments will sign. National coalitions and NGOs recognise the value of this international event for advancing the rights of children. They regard the Outcome Paper as a crucial element towards making these rights a reality. Some governments are beginning to make their positions on the Outcome Paper clear, but not necessarily in favour of children’s rights. National coalitions therefore have an important role to play in ensuring that their governments to give full regard to Convention on the Rights of the Child and its centrality toward making a world fit for children. Here is a short list questions you can use to guide your deliberations and actions in this period leading up to the third Prepcom due to take place on June 11-15,2001. In relation to the Government - - Do we know which Ministry/Ministries and officials are directly concerned with the Special Session on Children? - Do we know who is likely to represent the country at the Special Session? - Has the Government submitted its End of Decade Review Report? - Do we know what the government’s view is on the draft Outcome Paper? - How can we ensure that the Government supports the current child rights orientation of the Outcome Paper? - Who are the country’s strongest allies (both in and outside the region) and what are their positions on the Special Session? - Who are the coalition’s allies and how can they help put pressure on the Government to support a child rights orientation to the Outcome Paper? - Is it necessary to launch a special campaign to influence the Government’s position? - What arguments can we pose the government to support a human rights orientation? In relation to the public including special interest groups- - Does the public know about the UN Special Session on Children - What are the potential advantages in making the public aware of the Special Session - What sectors of the public are crucial in winning wider support for the Special Session and children’s rights - Are children and young people involved in any way? - What messages should the coalition be sending on the Special Session, Global Movement for Children and child rights in general? - With virtually no funds, what are the best methods of getting the message out to the relevant target groups? In relation to the international community- - Who are our present international contacts that share our interests in the Special Session? - How else could we work with them to ensure that our concerns are carried forward in the international arena? - Who else should we begin working more closely with at the regional level? - Do we know enough about the other national coalitions in the region and what they are doing in relation to the Special Session? - Since we are not attending the upcoming Prepcom and Special Session what steps should we take now to ensure a reasonable level of representation? Planning for After the Special Session- - What should be the timetable on examining the Outcome Paper of the Special Session and a programme of action? - Who should we invite from other sectors to participate in the deliberations? - When should we begin the media campaign? - What action can we take at national level to promote implementation of certain areas of the Outcome Paper? Prepared by The Liaison Unit NGO Group for the CRC February 2001.