(C) GMC on Partnerships
Global Movement for Children (GMC) BACKGROUND Ten years after the World Summit for Children (WSC) was held in 1990, serious activities are currently undertaken all over the world to take stock of achievements made for children in the past ten years; and more importantly, build on the experience gained to build new partnerships and identify a new vision and goals for children in the 21st century. At the Global level, the General Assembly of the United Nations convened a United Nations Special Session on Children (UNSSC) in May 2002 to review progress achieved in the past decade and agree on a future vision for children At the Regional level, the League of Arab States, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and UNICEF have agreed to convene a Regional High Level Conference on Children in April 2001 to agree on a regional perspective. It was proposed to convene an expert group meeting in early 2001 to prepare for this Conference The objectives of this regional conference were to clarify key achievements and gaps in regional performance on commitments made at the WSC; identify actions needed to achieve major outcomes for children in the next decade; and issue a Regional Declaration on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the Arab Region, 2001- 2010. Several regional meetings helped to prepare for the High Level Conference. These included meetings for civil society organisations, youth, media and the private sector At the country level in Jordan, a National Committee to report on Jordan's achievement in the past ten years was chaired by the Ministry of Planning. The committee prepared Jordan's report which was used as part of the global analysis of achievements made for children during the UN Special Session on Children (UNSSC) in May 2002. GLOBAL MOVEMENT FOR CHILDREN (GMC) In a wider context, and in preparation for a future movement for children, UNICEF built a Global Movement for Children (GMC) that seeks to achieve major progress for children within one generation. This partnership involved governments, youth, civil society, media and the private sector in an effort to galvanise action and build consensus and solidarity around three key areas for children in: early childhood development, basic education, and adolescence.
The challenges facing societies and the unfulfilled rights of children require broad participation and the commitment of many actors. The global environment of the 21st century will be such that governments alone will not be able to create all the conditions necessary for children to enjoy their rights. UNICEF invited a broad-based coalition of actors, international organisations, national governments and civil society groups to embrace the global agenda for children and to commit to achieving the three KEY areas for children (in early child development, quality basic education, and adolescence). UNICEF envisaged a series of events and activities to build a global movement for and with children and adolescents.
They called upon leaders in governments, the private sector, civil society as well as upon children and young people to work together to go beyond words and act upon our promises and commitments to children - The time to act is now.
Both Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania have drawn a clear vision for the children of Jordan. This is very much in line with the global momentum and vision. We need to build on achievements made and translate the vision for children into concrete action. This calls for concerted action by all and leadership by key actors. UNICEF Jordan formed a small group of influential leaders to serve as an advocacy group, "Friends of Jordanian Children", to advocate on behalf of children and steer the mobilisation effort which will include, among others, governmental organisations, civil society organisations, artists and intellectuals, religious leaders, the private sector, media and youth leaders.
The following leaders from different sectors of society have graciously agreed to serve as "Friends of Jordanian Children": Dr. Fawzi Touaimeh
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