Working with civil society organizations

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The Global Movement for Children

The Global Movement for Children is a powerful instrument of like-minded organizations and civil society partners, supportinga common agenda provided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, World Fit for Children (WFFC), Millennium Declaration, MDGs and the global campaign on Children and AIDS.

Over the past three years, a small GMC Convening Committee*  and Secretariat have developed various initiatives including Lesson for Life, a global initiative launched on World AIDS Day 2004.

Lesson for Life

Lesson for Life is part of a massive effort to educate children about HIV/AIDS prevention and spur them, their communities and governments to accelerate action on behalf of children and young people affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis.

"Young people are at the centre of the epidemic," said Miquel de Paladella of the Global Movement for Children. "They have a right to life-saving information that will help protect them from HIV/AIDS, and they also have a major role to play in stopping the spread of this devastating epidemic."

In both formal and non-formal education settings, the Lesson for Life gives children a leading role in teaching others the facts about HIV/AIDS, and in taking action in their communities to mitigate its impact.

In all, tens of thousands of schools and other venues in more than 50 countries participate in the initiative. Children, young people, youth groups and schools use discussions, plays, dramas, and writing to learn about HIV/AIDS and find ways to act on behalf of affected children.

Youth organizations

UNICEF's work with youth organizations is undertaken principally through the Alliance of Youth CEO's (the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, YMCA, YWCA, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Youth Foundation and the International Awards Association), which together command a membership of over 100 million young people.

One major initiative has involved the joint development of a publication on policy and guidelines for child and youth participation. At the same time, a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between UNICEF and the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) highlights the commitment to work together to help equip young people with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to contribute to the building of a more peaceful world, including the promotion of child-friendly education and life-skills to fight HIV/AIDS.

 

* BRAC, CARE, ENDA, the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Children, NetAid, OXFAM, Plan, Save the Children (represented by SCF/UK), UNICEF, World Vision (which chairs the group) and the Alliance of Youth CEOs (the Scouts, Guides, YMCA, YWCA, the Red Cross, the International Award Association and the International Youth Foundation).