Build civil society

Concluding a successful General Assembly in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, the NGO/UNICEF Regional Network for Children (RNC) unanimously adopted the Sofia Commitment on 22nd May 2005.

The Sofia Commitment clearly demonstrates a progression for the Network in that it addresses the Network itself setting out priorities for the next 12 months. Previous General Assembly outcome documents have tended to call on governments to take certain actions.

"With this Commitment, the RNC moves up several gears,"  Lynn Geldof, UNICEF Regional Communication Adviser

It is ambitious in its sweep and clearly aligns the RNC's child rights and advocacy objectives with the Millennium Development Goals. Placing children at the centre of development; mainstreaming children's rights from the local to the top levels of government; pushing for the establishment of specialised state agencies for children and independent ombudspersons are among the highlights.

For more information:

Angela Hawke, Communication Officer, (+4122) 909 5433, e-mail: ahawke@unicef.org