A World Fit for Children Plus 5

Non-Governmental Organizations

The participation of Civil Society Organizations is critical to achieving the World Fit for Children agenda. In both formal and non-formal ways, Civil Society Organizations will play a key role in the Commemorative High-Level Plenary Meeting. While nominated NGOs will be participating in two thematic roundtable discussions, international and national NGOs and grassroots organizations are encouraged to organize parallel events during the session, as well as observe meetings, lobby delegations and meet official government representatives.

NGO Participation
As set forth in item 7 of the GA resolution A/RES/61/272, UNICEF initiated a consultative process that led to a list of 20 representatives of non-government organizations. To guide the selection of these representatives, UNICEF set up a Task Force of NGO representatives that were selected on the basis of the key coordinating roles that they, and the organizations they represented, played at the time of the Special Session on Children in May 2002.

The Task Force considered each nominee’s expertise and/or experience in the implementation of the Declaration and Plan of Action of "A World Fit for Children" and the NGO’s constituency and level of operation (local, national or international). Simultaneously, the Task Force tried to ensure gender, geographic and sectoral balance as well as paid attention to ethnic, intergenerational and religious diversity.

These 20 NGO representatives have been invited to participate in two thematic Roundtables:
1) Promoting Healthy Lives and Combating HIV/AIDS
2) Providing Quality Education and Protecting Against Abuse, Exploitation and Violence

NGO Attendance

NGOs that are accredited to, and in good standing with, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and/or are in close working collaboration with UNICEF are invited to designate representatives to attend the Commemorative High-Level Plenary Meeting devoted to the follow-up to the outcomes of the Special Session on Children.

NGO representatives may attend all open meetings of the Commemorative High-Level Plenary. Representatives are required to pre-register to attend the meeting. Nominations are closed as of 30 November 2007!

NGO Side Events
Request form by NGOs interested in organizing side events were submitted to the NGO Committee on UNICEF by November 23, 2007. All the sponsors have been sent confirmations. An indicative list of side events is available.

NGO Statements

Official Statement of the NGO Committee on UNICEF. Emerging Themes from NGOs on the World Fit for Children(+5) Commemoration based on the Report of the Secretary General Follow-up to the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children.

International Movement ATD Fourth World, Statement on the follow-up to the UN Special Session on Children.

International Federation terre des homes' Statement. Addressing child trafficking: the unsuccessful conventional approach and recommendation for future actions.

Declaracion de Defensa de niñas y niños – Internacional (DNI) en el marco de la celebracion de la Reunion Conmemorativa de la Session Especial + 5.

MV Foundation's Official Statement for the World Fit for Children +5 Commemorative based on the Report of the Secretary General Follow up to the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children

SOS-Kinderdorf International's Statement to the follow-up to the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children.

UN Breastfeeding Advocacy Team's NGO Statement : The The Need to revitalise and increase support for Breastfeeding. UN Breastfeeding Advocacy Team's NGO Statement for Follow-up to the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children, 11-12 December 2007.