CRC ASIA JOINS THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO PROMOTE CHILD PARTICIPATION IN ASEAN

On 14-15 April 2016, the Child Rights Coalition Asia, together with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), UNICEF, the Philippine Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and other members of civil society, conducted the first project advisory committee meeting for the ASEAN Consultation on Creating An Enabling Environment for Children to Participate in the Decision Making Process. This is a three-year project that aims to contribute in setting a clear framework for promoting child participation in the ASEAN.

Children’s free participation in decision-making is crucial to the realization of other children’s rights. This is why it is one of the guiding principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It is emphasized under Articles 12, 13, and 15 of the Convention. The project proponents have a special interest in ensuring the effective implementation of the UNCRC and its Optional Protocols in the region.

The ASEAN Consultation on Creating an Enabling Environment for Children to Participate in the Decision Making Process will be comprised of a series of activities including the conduct of a baseline research study on child participation in ASEAN, development of national plans of action, and sharing of experiences.

In this week’s meeting, the project advisory committee was able to:

  • Develop the framework of the research and situational analysis
  • Identify the thematic areas of the research and situational analysis
  • Establish the working groups/committees/secretariat of the project
  • Finalize the Terms of Reference of research consultants
  • Develop the program for the next Preparatory meeting for the Baseline Study on Child Participation in ASEAN

The project’s second preparatory meeting will be conducted on 23-27 May 2016 in Manila to consult ASEAN member states on the framework and protocol of the Baseline Study. It will be attended by different stakeholders from Southeast Asia including ACWC Representatives for children’s rights, policymakers from the social welfare and education sector, members of the civil society, and children.

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