Child rights advocates and organizations from different parts of Asia and the Pacific gathered in Bangkok to participate in the four-day 2017 Asia-Pacific Partnership Meeting of Child Rights Coalitions and Networks (APPM 2017) from July 1 to 4 2017.
The four-day meeting consisted of fruitful and thought-provoking discussions on child rights issues. APPM 2017 had eight sessions which covered; creating a stronger child rights community in Asia, child trafficking, child participation, children during adolescence, Indigenous children, and children in emergencies.
Session 1: A Stronger Child Rights Community in Asia
Session 1 was a workshop on “A Stronger Child Rights Community in Asia,” The APPM participants were divided into four groups to discuss the challenges coalitions and networks face at local, national and regional levels, approaches for engaging children and youth, the engagement with basic sectors, and the implications on building a stronger community for children in Asia-Pacific. The participants identified various challenges as well as suggestions to promote and empower child participation -which includes activity-based approaches.
At the end of the workshop, Amihan Abueva, Regional Executive Director of CRC Asia, shared her thoughts and reactions.
“We start this meeting with our feet on the ground and our heads up because we never stop dreaming and aspiring for more…child rights are comprehensive and connected to everything. We are not experts in everything that is why we really need to work together,” said Abueva.
Session 2: Child Trafficking
In the second session, discussions were focused on the issue of child trafficking. Khun Wanchai Roujanavong, Thai representative for the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, discussed the objectives and state party obligations of ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children (ACTIP). He emphasized protecting victims -especially women and children- is the first priority and the second is the suppression of trafficking.
Meanwhile, Dr Rinchen Chopel, Director General of the South Asian Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC) presented a brief regional overview of child trafficking in South Asia. He discussed South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Convention’s current focus including the full and effective operationalization of the SAARC Convention on trafficking as well as harmonizing laws and policies on trafficking.
In response to the presentations of session 2, Dato Mah Weng Kwai, Commissioner of The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, said whether or not ACTIP will work comes down to the political will of each individual government. He also added, child trafficking is not only an issue of prostitution or refugees but also includes abandoned children regarding adoption and citizenship rights of adoptees.
Session 3: Child Participation
The second day of 2017 APPM had discussions on Child Participation and children during Adolescence.
For the third session, Undersecretary Florita Villar, Philippine Focal Point, ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) discussed child Participation revolved around the efforts of the ASEAN in upholding the children’s right to be heard. She explained the ASEAN Children’s Forum (ACF) is a platform to promote children’s participation at the ASEAN level.
The discussion continued with Undersecretary Mae Fe Templa, Former Philippine Representative on Children’s Rights of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children presented a baseline study on the status of child participation in ASEAN and the member states. The study has shown the various weaknesses the ACF has that needs to be addressed including the quality and promotion of child participation.
Abueva responded to the presentations saying the ACF should improve their selection process, their feedback mechanism, accountability, and the quality of the adult mentors and facilitators, to make them more child-friendly and child-sensitive.
Session 4: Child Adolescence
For session 4, Mikiko Otani, Member of UN CRC Committee presented on children during adolescence focused on the salient features of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child General Comment No. 20 on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence. In the second half of the session, Dr Emma Llanto and Dr Maria Asuncion Silvestre of Health of Mother and Child Philippines discussed the intergenerational impact of teenage pregnancy and the rights-based approach to the care of the pregnant adolescent.
Professor Dr Hafid Abbas, Commissioner of the National Commission of Human Rights of Indonesia, also mentioned there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift to a rights-based approach to the care of adolescents. Data collection, research and resources are all needed, as well as education and training, and dissemination of information.
Session 5: Indigenous Children
The topic for the fifth session focused on the rights of indigenous children. The discussion focused on the human rights concerns and responses of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Children in Australia, including the five elements of the child placement principle. The discussion was led by SNAICC’s Policy ManagerJohn Burton and Board Member Natalie Lewis. SNAICC is a community-controlled national peak body for advocating the rights of ATSI children.
Attorney Leah Armamento, Commissioner from the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, was the reactor for session five. She mentioned GC No. 11 on the rights of indigenous children also covers cultural continuity and identity, stating that State Parties have an obligation to reduce the proportion of indigenous children in out-of-home care to the same level as for non-indigenous children.
Session 6: Children in Emergencies
Good practices were shared on ensuring child protection during the responses of Typhoon Haiyan in Bay Bay Leyte in the Philippines and the 2015 Earthquake in Nepal.
Yuyum Fhahni Paryani, Indonesia’s Representative on Children’s Rights, ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, presented the Child Protection (CP) working group and Child-Friendly Space (CFS) conducted in Bay Bay Leyte in response to Typhoon Haiyan. Meanwhile, Madhav Pradhan, President of Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Center (CWIN) discussed CWIN’s Response to emergency relief and recovery of the 2015 Earthquake Survivors in Nepal.
CP Specialist from the UNICEF East Asia-Pacific Regional Office, Attorney Grace Agcaoili agreeing to both presentations that CP systems need to be resilient to emergencies. Atty. Agcaoili also adds that integrating CP into recovery plans can be tricky and more difficult than education or health.
Session 7: Open Space Workshop
Open Space Workshop provided an opportunity for participants to discuss their own child rights issues or concern. The eight topics discussed during the workshop included adolescence and parenting, birth registration, child rights and business principles, child trafficking, peace and tolerance, child rights in the parliament, child participation, and Speak! Campaign. The principle of the campaign is to give opportunities to connect different organizations to give a voice to everybody, everywhere, particularly those who are rarely heard.
Session 8: Planning
During the planning, advocacy points, actions, and recommendations were identified from the topics during the Open Space Workshop and the thematic sessions of the past four days. Agreements and recommendations during this session include strengthening links and partnerships with various groups, including the exchange of information. There was also mention of capacity building of child rights coalitions and networks, particularly on child participation and children’s right to health during adolescences. Other key agreements include continuous advocacy at the regional, national and local levels and strategic promotion of children’s rights.
In between the sessions, the participants also had the opportunity to introduce their organization and present the organization’s achievements. APPM is a continuing effort of CRC Asia to facilitate a venue for collaboration and cooperation for national coalitions and networks for the realization of the rights of the child, including the child’s right to protection.
