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Arab Civil Society Forum for Children

The Forum:

Arab Civil Society Forum for Children is a periodical gathering aiming at institutionalizing efforts of Arab civil society organizations in childhood areas. It has a permanent secretariat and an advisory committee of Arab organizations, in addition to a website (www.megdaf.org), aiming at raising developmental awareness with regard to children issues in the Arab world, and it adopts rights and development approach, and stems from the Convention on the Right of the Child.

The website contains different reports, information, studies, and news related to childhood events, as well it includes a database for members, that contains over 1000 members of both organizations and individuals, in addition an electronic newsletter is issued by this website entitled "Megdaf Echoes".

Background:

The idea of the forum was first initiated by Arab civil society organizations working in the field of childhood, during the year 2000 in preparation for the UN special session on children which took place during 2002 under the title "World Fit for Children". This initiation is the direct result of the increased experience of NGOs in providing services for children. As a result of this effort, NGOs acquired professionalism and promoted their relationship to government. In preparation for the above mentioned UN session, a series of NGOs meetings, under the auspices of the League of Arab States, took place and came up with a number of recommendations that called for an increased attention to children issues in the Arab world; institutionalization of the work for children; and promote networking between NGOs working in childhood issues.

Former Sessions of the Forum:

The Forum plays a pivotal role in networking and building capacity of Arab civil society organizations working in the field of childhood, through identifying a main issue to be tackled in each of its meeting sessions.

In 2001, the First Forum was held in Morocco, as part of preparations for the United Nations Special Session on children.

 

In 2005, the Second Forum was held in Cairo, and was considered to be a new step towards building capacity of civil society through networking and exchanging experience.

 

In 2010, the Third Forum was held in Cairo, and focused on identifying the importance of data in changing children situations and in planning and programming on a right based approach and the apprehension of NGOs to that; as well as the availability of this data for civil society organizations.

 

 

In 2012, the Fourth Forum was held in Lebanon, and focused on building capacities of civil society organizations and concerned institutions, including networking and advocacy in support of the right of Arab children to participation, and identifying the level of participation of children in the Arab world.

The Goal:

The Forum aims at activating the role played by civil society organizations, seeking to provide a scientific and practical vision on improving childhood status in Arab countries.

Main Objectives:

- Identifying the role played by civil society organizations in developing and implementing childhood policies.

- Networking among civil society organizations working in the field of childhood.

- Extracting the lessons learned in light of the achievements of civil society organizations in the field of childhood issues.

- Disseminating knowledge to Arab civil society organizations on the updated issues related to childhood at the Arab and international levels.

 

Partners:

ACCD is implementing this Project in partnership with AGFUND

 

Project Status:

Ongoing Project

 

For more information on this Project, please contact: [email protected]

Read more on:

The Fourth Arab Civil Society Forum for Children

The Third Arab Civil Society Forum for Children 2010  

The Arab Civil Society Forum for Children 2005

Regional Arab Civil Society Forum on Childhood 2001