Agenda and activities
In this page you will find information on:
- Programme of the Special Session
- Supporting Events
- Signing and ratifying treaties relating to children
1. Programme of the Special Session
The programme of events is available in HTML or as
2 PDF files.
HTML: View the complete programme
of events .
PDF, 2 parts: View the programme of events [pdf]
and the updates/changes of 2 May [pdf]
The official programme will be divided into three major
components:
1. Debate
Heads of delegation of Member States and observers,
Heads of relevant entities of the UN System and a limited
number of NGOs will have the opportunity to present
their statements in the plenary. The speaker's list
has been established on the basis of the drawing of
lots held on 6 March 2002. Two national child delegates
to the Children's Forum will present the outcome of
the Forum in the opening plenary.
2. Ad Hoc Committee of the Whole
Chaired by Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica,
Chairperson of the Preparatory Committee. The list of
speakers can include General Assembly observers, UN
system entities not represented at the head level, and
NGOs.
3. Round Table
Three round tables, each co-chaired by two Heads of
State or Government, will discuss the overall theme:
"Renewal of commitment and future action for
children in the next decade". Co-chairs are
paired as follows: Mongolia and Romania; Finland and
Mexico; Zambia and the Republic of Korea. Two child
delegates, representing Uganda, New Zealand, Rwanda,
Bangladesh, Yugoslavia and Suriname, will deliver a
brief introductory statement to each round table.
A Note on the round tables [pdf
| word]
gives information about the background, general recommendations
and practical arrangements and the participation of
child delegates.
More information on the round
tables is available on the United Nations web site.
2. Supporting events
A number of supporting events will allow delegates
to share national experiences and best practices in
promoting the well-being of children.
Supporting events framework [word]
Major supporting events include...
Children's Forum (5-7 May 2002)
This forum, to be held immediately prior to the Special
Session, will gather approximately 400 children from
Government and NGO delegations from around the world
to discuss among themselves key actions for children.
More information on the Children's Forum is available
in the Under -18 zone.
Religious Leaders' Symposium (7 May 2002)
The symposium will gather leaders of the world's major
religions for discussions on the particular role that
religions should play in promoting the rights of children.
It will be followed by an inter-faith service.
Parliamentary Forum (9 May 2002)
The Inter-Parliamentary Union and UNICEF will host
a forum of Parliamentarians to discuss the impact of
legislation and budgetary allocations on the well-being
of children.
Forum on Women's Leadership for Children (9 May
2002)
Mrs. Nane Annan is inviting all First Spouses and other
distinguished guests to participate in an informal exchange
of views on the theme of Women's Leadership for Children.
Panel: Financing
a World Fit for Children (9 May 2002)
This event will attempt to identify the most crucial
measures that financial authorities need to take to
ensure sufficient and sustainable financial resources
for child-focused poverty reduction. Following interventions
from a Panel, there will be a general debate. Expected
participants include both those with control over budgetary
decisions and those in a position to exert pressure
for budgetary decisions in favour of children
Celebration of Leadership for Children (9 May, 7
pm)
World leaders are invited to join a celebration of
leadership for children, featuring a musical and spoken
tribute to leaders of the Global Movement for Children.
Almost 50 million pledges made during the global campaign
"Say Yes for Children" will be officially
presented during this event.
Other side events are being organized around the major
themes of the outcome document (promoting healthy lives,
providing quality education, child protection and combating
HIV/AIDS) and constituencies (Ombudspersons, mayors
and youth organisations, among others). These events
will provide additional opportunities for interaction
between Governments, entities of the UN system and civil
society organizations on the implementation of actions
for children.
3. Signing and ratifying treaties relating to children
UNICEF invites all Governments to take the opportunity
of the Special Session to concretely express their commitment
to improving children's lives by taking action on treaties
protecting children's rights.
The following are among the key Conventions, Protocols
and instruments that will be put up for signature and
ratification:
- The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights
of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography;
- The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Right
of the Child on the involvement of children in armed
conflict;
- The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking
in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing
the UN Convention against Transnational Organised
Crime;
- The Amendment to Article 43.2 of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, raising from ten to eighteen
the number of members of the Committee on the Rights
of the Child.
More information is available in Child
Rights in Action.
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