Resources

Table of Contents:
Introduction and Background
Component One:Securing a Healthy Life
Component Two:Development and Strengthening Capabilities of Children
Component Three: Protecting Children in Difficult Circumstances
Component Four: The Role of the Media
Component Five: Monitoring and Evaluation
Annex: Budget Summary

Introduction and Background:
This is the Executive Summary of the Jordanian National Plan of Action for Children (2004-2013).  It provides a summary of the main components and objectives of the National Plan of Action.

The Jordanian Plan of Action for Children (2004-2013) follows up on past achievements in implementing the previous first National Plan of Action for the years (1993-2000) which was prepared following the World Summit for Children Declaration and Plan of Action in 1990.

In 2002, the United Nation's General Assembly held, for the first time in its history, a Special Session on Children. The aim was to review progress made in the past decade, and to agree on a future vision for children. A universal commitment for children was set in a "World Fit for Children" declaration and world leaders agreed to use the general framework of this document as a guideline for the development of National Plans of Action for Children in their countries.

Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania have set a clear vision for children in Jordan which is in harmony with the Arab and global vision.  The Kingdom joined the Global Movement for Children in 2001.  This Movement calls on all members of society to change the world with and for children.  The Global Leadership Initiative was created to engage world leaders working for children to advocate for the Movement and a better future for children.  Her Majesty Queen Rania joined global leaders like Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel in the Global Leadership Initiative in October 2000.  These dignitaries called upon world leaders, governments, the private sector, civil society, the media, children and adolescents to work together to fulfil promises and commitments made to children - it was time to work.

As a follow up to the Special Session for Children, and at the regional level, the Arab League held the Second Arab Conference on Child's Rights in 2001, during which the Cairo Declaration on the World Fit for Children was announced.  The Declaration called for activating joint Arab initiatives for children and for a unified Arab position for an effective participation in the United Nations Special Session on Children.  The Declaration also called for the preparation of a Second Arab Plan for Children in accordance with the new global recommendations while preserving the Arab heritage.  A "Draft Arab Plan of Action for Children" was developed and refined at the Consultative Technical Committee for Arab Children meeting which was held in Bahrain 2003.  The committee recommended the adoption of the plan and presenting it to the Third Arab Congress on Child's Rights in Tunisia in 2004.  The Conference aimed at adopting an Arab Plan of Action for Children for the years 2004-2015 to be a guiding framework for all Arab countries in the development of their national plans of action for children.

This Jordanian National Plan of Action for Children was prepared based on these global, regional and national frameworks.  The National Plan was prepared through a comprehensive national process, involving more that 200 decision-makers and individuals who took part in drafting and reviewing it.

The National Plan is based on the use of planning logframes.  Each component in the plan has objectives and clearly coded activities to meet these objectives.  Each activity is linked to main and cooperating implementing partners, indicators, sources of verification for the indicators, costing, and timeframe.