The NGO Committee on UNICEF at the United Nations
Meeting report by Alexandra Woodward
On February 12th, 2009 I attended the members meeting for the NGO Committee on UNICEF at the United Nations in New York. There were approximately twenty representatives from other NGOs present, from the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund to the World Blind Union Children’s Committee.
After mingling and chatting among representatives, the meeting began at 3 pm. There were two honored guests present: Nicola Brandt, Program Officer for the Gender and Rights Unit of UNICEF, and Dr. Jorge Freyre, the Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. First, Ms. Brandt gave a report on the UNICEF Conference on Legislative Reform to Achieve Human Rights for Children, which took place on November 18th and 19th, 2008. Main points from this conference included the necessity of youth participation in legislative reform and partnerships between UN agencies and parliamentarians. In panel discussions over the two days, they discussed (1) promising approaches to achieve human rights, (2) advancing the human rights relationship between women and children through legislative reform, and (3) the enforcement and implementation of legislative frameworks. The November meeting concluded by reinforcing the importance of legislative mechanisms and reform, of governmental compliance with national and international norms and treaties, of women and child-centered human rights approaches, and of the involvement of children and young people in all parts of the legislative process.
Next, Dr. Freyre gave a report on the Latin American and Caribbean region. According to his presentation, poverty is growing; at this point, 44 percent of the population is under the poverty line, 51 percent of whom are children. In fact, eight of the top countries with the highest Gini coefficient, which measures levels of inequality, are from Latin America, and social exclusion is highest among members of indigenous communities, African descendants, and handicapped children. In response, the regional agenda is to reanalyze the role of NGOs in present circumstances; to strengthen the importance of international cooperation; to strengthen legitimacy, acknowledgement and respect for NGOs; and to pay attention to violence against children and governmental budgets. Concrete steps include soliciting commitments from governments and mobilizing social actors.
Afterwards, the Working Groups presented their reports. The Working Group on Education is directed towards ages zero to eight. They are interested in networking with NGOs to prepare UN sessions in the context of early childhood development. The most active group is the Working Group on Girls, which seeks to institutionalize work on girls’ issues in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination. They organize events such as screenings of documentaries and have a whole assortment of task forces.
Jenessa Bryan, the representative for SOS Kinderdorf, will be heading a new working group created for children without parents. This will include orphans as well as children without parental care. This may be applicable for some Susila Dharma projects.
Finally, each representative shared a bit about the mission and future plans for his or her NGO. I spoke for a few minutes about Susila Dharma’s work, mentioning that there are many projects with different relevant foci. In the context of child development, I said a few words about the approach and goals of ICDP, which has received support from UNICEF in the past. I was able to exchange brochures and contact information with most of the representatives present.
The meeting adjourned at 5 o'clock pm. The next will take place on April 20th, 2009.