International Conference on War-Affected Childern

What is working?

· Using the Convention as a teaching aid to children

· Working on children's parliament

· Some countries are raising awareness

What isn't working?

· Knowledge about the Convention on the Rights of a Child

· No punishment for violations on the Convention

· No implementation or enforcement of Convention

· Children under the age of 18 working

· IHL and CRC are not respected by armed groups involved in the conflict

· There is no strong support from the government in CRC advocacy and monitoring mechanism

· CRC does oes not raise awareness in country

· Poor countries in debt cannot afford to implement the CRC

Recommendations

· Awareness and knowledge about the articles contained within the Convention on the Rights of a Child.

· Make videos on the CRC and show to the public.

· Youth Commission to participate in implementation of Convention

· Children's Parliament

· Young People's Media

· Young People movement (exchange program, raising different issues)

· Children's rights should be taught in schools

· Stronger penalties, enforcement and monitoring of Convention

· Global March against child labour

· Sign the international statute on Criminal Court (War Crimes, etc.)

· More co-operation between the NGOs and Governments

· Spend more money in prevention than in Hockey and entertainment

· A version of the convention that is easy for youth to read (a summary)

· Educate parents and educators who work with children about the Convention, so as to pass it on to their children and youth

· Government should make programs to help educate youth about Convention

· Make sure the rights of the child are respected and their interests prevail over any other

· Co-operation between local and international NGOs

· Renewal of Convention every couple months for each country. (eg. 6 months)

· Encourage the signing of the optional protocol on the Rights of the Child

What Can Youth Do?

· Use the media to their advantage - A youth media that can be used to promote CRC

· Petition and write letters to the government

· Show interest in rights

· Help the government aid children affected by war

· Invite other youth to be involved

· Be personally committed to working with adults

· Empower youth organizations

Join groups which promote awareness of Convention

Questions?

How do you protect the Palestinian children from the Israeli Soldiers? (Hostilities between Palestinians and Israelis.) Palestine cannot sign because they have no government.

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