NGOs: Unprecedented participation

The participation of NGOs in the Special Session was unprecedented in a number of ways. First, in record attendance for a child rights event, more than 1,700 NGO representatives from 117 countries and from 700 NGOs took part. This was a vast improvement over the number of NGOs attending the first, second and third Preparatory Committee meetings - and went far beyond all expectations. Second, the NGO contingent included not only those accredited by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as is customary at UN conferences, but also representatives of NGOs who are partners of UNICEF at the global and national level.

This meant that large numbers of grass-roots NGOs that would not normally have had a voice at the UN were able to offer their experiences and provide a "reality check" regarding what works and does not work on the ground. As UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy put it when she addressed NGOs, "You are the NGOs who really know what you are talking about." Echoing her positive view, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kul C. Gautam added, "NGO perspectives are very important in the alternative reports submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child."

Another highlight of NGO activity was the involvement of some 250 children and young people who served as NGO delegates to the Children's Forum and the Special Session. This NGO participation of children set a record for a major UN conference.

Addressing NGOs at their plenary session, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said "You non-governmental organizations give life and meaning to the concept of 'We, the Peoples', in whose name our United Nations Charter was written." Noting that children's participation is key to the work of NGOs and other advocates for children, he added, "If we are to live up to the title of the outcome document and build 'A World Fit for Children', we must also build it with children."

An unprecedented number of NGOs had been involved in the Special Session since its inception, participating in both national and regional consultations and other events that took place prior to the Session. NGO views strongly influenced the outcome document, which was carefully crafted to take account of the contributions of NGOs at the national, regional and international levels.

Two themes dominated the statements given by 15 NGOs in the official proceedings - the key role of child rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the follow-up action to the Special Session, and the daily, pervasive and crushing impact of violence on the lives of children.

In addition to organizing their own supporting events, NGOs participated actively in events organized by UN agencies, governments and other constituencies. NGOs also coalesced by regions and around specific issues, including the rights of girls, early childhood development and education, HIV/AIDS, child and youth participation, and children in armed conflict.

Click here for more information on NGO involvement prior to the Special Session.

See also the website of the NGO Committee on UNICEF and their report of NGO Activities at the Special Session, entitled 'NGOs Helping to Make a World Fit for Children'.

See also the website of the Child Rights Information Network

See the page Follow-up: Global Movement for Children for information on NGO involvement in the Global Movement for Children.