What do they do and how do they do it?

1. What do they do and how do they do it?

2. Presentation History, structure and governance Main areas of work Achievements Challenges Lessons learnt

3. The NGO Group for the CRC Vision: A world in which children’s rights, as defined by the CRC, are universally recognised and realised. Mission: Facilitate the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the CRC. Global network of 71 national and international NGOs Works with national and international NGOs in 150 countries, including over 100 national coalitions Partner in the work of the Committee

4. History 20 NGOs joined forces in 1983 to coordinate their actions to draft the CRC Unprecedented impact on the final text of an international human rights treaty Decided to create a more formal structure to promote ratification and reporting

5. Structure and governance General Assembly (member organisations) Executive Committee (7-10 members) Secretariat (5 staff) • Thematic working • groups • Children without parental care • Communications procedure for the CRC • Human Rights Council • Indigenous children • Sexual exploitation of children • Violence against children

6. Main areas of work Support the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Strengthen capacity and/or facilitate NGO participation in the reporting process Develop legal instruments on child rights Produce practical tools to advocate and monitor child rights Mainstream child rights in the broader UN Human Rights system

7. Facilitate NGO participation in reporting process According to need, train NGOs in forming coalitions and writing alternative reports Ensure NGOs participate effectively in the full reporting process (pre-session and session) Pay for NGOs to attend the Committee’s meetings

8. Practical tools to advocate and monitor child rights • Guidelines to reporting on CRC & its Optional Protocols • Fact sheets on elections, DGD and General Comments • Alternative report database with CRIN • Guidelines for children to report (coming soon) • Country reports Website: www.childrightsnet.org

9. Achievements Leading expertise in the work of the Committee and the monitoring of the CRC and its Optional Protocols Contributes to the drafting of treaties such as the CRC, its Optional Protocols and regional standards. Ensures NGO input into international child rights events, days of general discussion and general comments. Contribute to the development of the Committee’s working methods

10. Achievements Model for alternative reporting for UN treaty bodies Committee receives credible, representative and comprehensive information from national NGOs and children National NGOs (increasingly children) have direct access to the Committee responsible for the CRC Committee’s dialogue with states and recommendations take into account NGO information

11. Challenges Managing the network structure Keeping members focused on common goals and avoiding conflict of interest Raising funds for ‘abstract activities’ Follow-up to Committee’s recommendations

12. Lessons Learnt Have an independent coordinating body that follows and influences the work of the Committee Facilitate the access of national NGOs/coalitions Work closely with Committee secretariat, UNICEF and Committee members and other key partners Create practical tools for NGOs to engage effectively in the work of the Committee Develop methods to follow-up Committee recommendations

13. Thank you for listening!