Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - More than
fifty children from around the country will come together on Friday February
20th, 2004 to give their suggestions to improve the National Plan of Action
for Children. This is the first time children will have the chance
to express their views on the plan. The National Plan of Action for
Children is the guiding document, produced by the government, to protect
and promote children's rights in Ethiopia. The conference, to be
held at Ghion Hotel, is organized by Plan International, Christian Children's
Fund (CCF)-Canada, CCF Inc. and Save the Children Alliance.
The National Plan of Action is
one of the steps to follow up the UN Special Session for Children. This
document, valid from 2004-2010, will determine the goals for the government
in order to fulfill the rights of children. Plan International, Save
the Children Alliance and UNICEF brought children together for two consultative
meetings before the UN Special Session for Children in 2001. The
fruitful discussions culminated in 10 requests from the children for the
government and international agencies.
In this meeting, the draft National Plan of Action will be presented and children will then discuss what is positive about the document and what needs to be improved. Civil society was already given the opportunity to comment on the plan.
Plan International, CCF Canada, CCF Inc. and Save the Children Sweden strongly believe in the value of child participation. Children know their problems and struggles better than any adult. It is, therefore, essential to get their input on plans and activities that affect their lives. Interventions will then be more cost effective, efficient and applicable for children.
For more information, please contact:
Tibebu Bogale
Save the Children Sweden
Tel: +251 1 71 14 01
+251 9 400905 mobile number
Sophie Joy Mosko
Regional Communications Officer
Save the Children Sweden- Eastern and Central Africa Region
Save the Children Sweden
Eastern and Central Africa Region
P.O. Box 3457
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 1 71 14 01
Fax: +251 1 71 01 49