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來源 PDF: 34_20230325141130_8532957.pdf

A companion guide for children willing to tell the United

Na�ons Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child about how

children’s rights are respected in their country

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 1

A companion guide for children willing

to tell the United Na�ons Commi�ee

on the Rights of the Child about how

children’s rights are respected in their

country

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 2

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING - A

companion guide for children willing to tell

the United Na�ons Commi�ee on the Rights

of the Child about how children’s rights are

respected in their country.

For copies of this publica�on and

further informa�on, please contact:

CHILD RIGHTS CONNECT

1, rue de Varembé

1202 Geneva Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 552 41 30

Fax: +41 22 552 41 39

secretariat@childrightsconnect.org

www.childrightsconnect.org

Second edi�on - Edited and updated by Child Rights

Connect, June 2020

Design, layout & illustra�ons: Shazeera Ahmad Zawawi

First edi�on’s Author: Sam Dimmock (Children’s Rights

Alliance for England, CRAE) and

Project supervisor: Lisa Myers (NGO Group for the

Conven�on on the Rights of the Child)

Editor: Lisa Myers & Séverine Jacomy-Vité

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 3

This publica�on can be used in conjunc�on with:

TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN – FOR CHILDREN - A Guide for Non-

Governmental Organiza�ons accompanying children in CRC

repor�ng, Second edi�on, Child Rights Connect 2020.

© 2020 Child Rights Connect

All rights reserved. Materials contained in this publica�on may be

freely quoted, reprinted, reproduced or translated, provided credit is

given to the source.

Official versions of this guide were produced by Child Rights Connect

in English, French and Spanish.

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 4

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DATE OF MY COUNTRY'S

CRC SESSION

MY BEST MEMORIES OF

THE CRC REPORTING:

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 5

THE GREATEST RESULT OF THE CRC

REPORTING:

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 6

MY NOTES AND DRAWING:

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 7

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 8

WHAT’S IN THIS POCKET GUIDE

Thanks to all! 10

A word from the Chairperson of the UN Commi�ee on 11

the Rights of the Child

THE BASICS 12

What is the Conven�on on the Rights of the Child? 12

What is the Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child? 15

How does the Commi�ee work with children? 15

What does it mean to report? 17

Who can report to the Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child? 17

The repor�ng cycle 18

I WANT TO REPORT ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO THE

COMMITTEE – WHAT DO I DO? 26

Find out about the repor�ng �me frame of your country 26

Plan how to report to the Commi�ee 29

Involve other children in repor�ng 30

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO RESEARCH 32

Step 1: What sort of report do you want to send to

the Commi�ee? 32

Step 2: Who do you want to talk to? 32

Step 3: How do you find out what children think? 33

Step 4: Do your research 40

Step 5: Analyse your findings 41

Step 6: Write your report 41

Step 7: What to do with your finished report? 46

Some good examples 46

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 9

MEETING THE COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 47

Children’s delega�ons 47

Going to Geneva 48

What happens when you meet the Commi�ee? 50

What happens in the pre-session? 50

What happens in the children’s mee�ng? 50

Will the Commi�ee speak my language? 52

What happens at the Commi�ee’s session with my government? 55

A RAPPORTEUR VISIT 57

What is a Rapporteur / a Task Force? 57

Plan a Rapporteur visit 57

THE CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS 59

Who gets the concluding observa�ons? 59

Should you send them out? 59

FOLLOW-UP 62

USEFUL THINGS TO REMEMBER 64

USEFUL WEBSITES AND CONTACTS 66

ANNEXES

Annex 1: The Conven�on on the Rights of the Child - 67

The Children’s Version

Annex 2: Examples of children’s rights surveys 71

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 10

THANK YOU ALL!

The first edi�on of this guide has been wri�en with the help of children and adults from Bangladesh,

Hong Kong, Kenya, Peru, Republic of Moldova and Wales who have been involved in checking how

well children’s rights were put into prac�ce in their countries. They formed the advisory group to the

dra�ing of this publica�on and of the guide Together with children – for children. The advisory group

was composed of members who had met with the Commi�ee and had made use of different

methodologies to prepare children’s reports. It also provided advice on the guidelines for children,

NGOs and informa�on for the Commi�ee members. The advisory group met in London and Geneva

to work on the project.

Children and young people: Cheney Cheng (Kids’ Dream - Hong Kong), Daniela Gancear (Child Rights

Informa�on Centre – Moldova), Laila Garcia (MNNATSOP – Peru), Orlando Marcelo (MNNATSOP –

Peru), Roseline Olang (Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children – Kenya), Rakibul Hassan

Raku (Child Brigade – Bangladesh) and Ben Sawyer (Funky Dragon – Wales).

Adults: Darren Bird (Funky Dragon), Shamsul Alam Bokul and Mahmudur Rahman (Save the Children

Sweden-Denmark Office for Bangladesh), Enrique Jaramillo Garcia (MNNATSOP), Cezar Gavriiluc

(Child Rights Informa�on Centre), Jane Mbugua (Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children),

Angels Simon and Gina Solari (Save the Children Sweden Office for La�n America and the Caribbean)

and Billy Wong (Hong Kong Commi�ee on Children’s Rights).

This second edi�on has been updated thanks to the contribu�ons of:

Associa�on ADO+ - Tunisia, Children´s Rights Alliance for United

Kingdom (CRAE), Child Rights Informa�on Center (CRIC) – Moldova,

Dutch Na�onal Youth Council (NJR) – Netherlands, Hintalovon Child

Rights Founda�on – Hungary, Interna�onal Child Rights Center (InCRC),

the Korean Commi�ee for UNICEF, and Child Fund Korea – Republic of

Korea, Plateforme de la Société Civile pour l'Enfance – Madagascar, Red

Niña Niño – Guatemala.

Child Rights Connect would also like to thank the Commi�ee on the

Rights of the Child and its Secretariat for their guidance and feed-back

. Thanks also to Ton That Tuan, Raša Sekulović and Silje Vold from Plan

Interna�onal and Nicole�e Moodie from UNICEF, as well as people who

gave us money for making the publica�on of this guide possible:

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 11

THANK YOU

A WORD FROM THE ALL! OF THE UN

CHAIRPERSON

COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

©UNICEFArgentina

Mr. Luis Ernesto PEDERNERA REYNA

Chairperson UN Commi�ee on the

Rights of the Child, 2019

On 28 September 2018, the Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child devoted, for the first �me, a

day of discussion to children who act as human rights defenders. Since then, we use the

expression children human rights defenders(1) in our documents because we understand that

this is the mission they carry out when they get involved in working for their rights. The

reedi�on and upda�ng of this guide aim to help children to prepare and present an alterna�ve

report to our Commi�ee, so that we can hear directly their opinions.

During that day of discussion, the children told us: "nothing about us, without us". Here is the

relevance of this document for the voice of children to reach the Commi�ee and for them to be

the protagonists in the monitoring of their rights.

30 years of experience showed that children’s engagement in the CRC Repor�ng is one of the

most powerful ways to empower children human rights defenders to advance the realisa�on of

children’s rights through monitoring, repor�ng and advocacy.

(1) h�p://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/Discussion2018.aspx

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 12

THE BASICS

This guide is intended for child-led organisa�ons and children who want to act on

children’s rights and to collaborate with the UN Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child (the

Commi�ee) by presen�ng informa�on through the different steps of the “repor�ng

cycle”.

It should give you all the informa�on you need to get started. But before we begin, let’s

just make sure you know the basic stuff:

WHAT IS THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD?

The Conven�on on the Rights of the Child – known as the CRC – is an interna�onal human

rights treaty which exists since 1989 and lists the rights of all children under the age of

18. It obliges governments to say what they are doing to make sure children enjoy these

rights. Almost all States of the United Na�ons have commi�ed to the CRC.

Child Rights Connect and UNICEF have developed a children’s version of the CRC that

you can find at the end of this guide (Annex 1) and here:

h�ps://www.unicef.org/media/56661/file

The CRC has three op�onal protocols: One on the

special situa�on of children in war (OPAC); one on

children who are sold or sexually abused through

pros�tu�on or pornography (OPSC), and one

which allows children to complain about their

personal situa�on with the Commi�ee (OPIC).

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 13

SOME WORDS YOU MIGHT

NEED TO KNOW

CHILDREN: Any person under the age of 18.

BEST INTEREST: It means that people should always think about the effect any

decisions they are making will have on a child, and whether that decision is really

the best thing for that child, taking into account all the rights in the CRC.

CHILDREN’S OMBUDSMAN (or CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER): This is an

independent person whose job it is to promote the views of children and protect

their rights. They are set up by law and have legal powers.

CHILD RIGHTS CONNECT: The organisa�on which helps NGOs and children to take

part in the repor�ng process. Its job is to give you all the informa�on you need to

report successfully on children’s rights to the UN (like this guide). Check out its

website for more informa�on: www.childrightsconnect.org

CHILDREN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS: Children who take ac�on to defend their

own rights or those of others.

COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (or, in short, THE COMMITTEE): A

group of 18 interna�onal children’s rights experts that checks how well

governments protect and respect children’s human rights.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS: Recommenda�ons made by the Commi�ee on the

Rights of the Child to the governments it has examined.

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (or, in short, THE CONVENTION, or

THE CRC): This is an interna�onal human rights treaty for all children aged under 18.

It gives children a full set of economic, social, cultural, civil and poli�cal rights that

include the right to express their views and have them taken seriously.

IMPLEMENTATION: To put something into prac�ce.

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY: An agreement between many countries

about the rights that people all have. Human rights are basic things every human

being should have - but o�en cannot enjoy in reality - like the right to be free, the

right to say what you think or the right not to be tortured.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 14

SOME WORDS YOU MIGHT

NEED TO KNOW

MONITOR: To watch the progress of something to see how successful it is, or to check

that something is being done properly.

NGO: An NGO is a non-governmental organisa�on – a charity or other group that is not

part of the government.

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS (or NHRIs): An independent ins�tu�on that

protects and promotes human rights in a country.

OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (or OHCHR): The UN

en�ty that works to promote, monitor and protect human rights for everyone. The

people working there make all the arrangements for the Commi�ee on the Rights of

the Child, set the �metable for their examina�ons, and pull together their reports and

recommenda�ons - because the Commi�ee members only come to Geneva for the

session.

OPTIONAL PROTOCOL: A new treaty added to a Conven�on, which governments can

decide to agree to, or not. The Conven�on on the Rights of the Child has three Op�onal

Protocols.

PRE-SESSION: The pre-session is a 1-week period when the Commi�ee on the Rights

of the Child meets in Geneva to talk to NGOs, NHRIs, Ombudsmen, UN agencies and

children about the state of children’s rights in their countries.

RATIFICATION: Where a country agrees to commit to implement an interna�onal

treaty, like the Conven�on on the Rights of the Child.

SESSION: The session is a 3-week period when the Commi�ee on the Rights of the

Child meets in Geneva to discuss with governments and make recommenda�ons.

STATE PARTY: A State Party is a country whose government has ra�fied a par�cular

treaty such as the Conven�on on the Rights of the Child.

UNITED NATIONS (or UN): The United Na�ons

was set up in 1945 to keep interna�onal peace

and security, to develop friendships between na�ons,

to help to solve interna�onal problems, to promote respect for human rights,

and to encourage different countries to work together.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 15

WHAT IS THE COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS

OF THE CHILD?

The Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child is a group

of 18 people who know a lot about children and

have been selected from all over the world. You can

check their profiles on the Commi�ee’s webpage,

under “Child-friendly informa�on on the

membership of the Commi�ee”:

h�ps://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/

Pages/Membership.aspx

A�er a government agrees to follow (ra�fies) the CRC, it becomes a ”State Party” and the

Commi�ee members check that it is doing all it can to respect it.

Each government must send the Commi�ee a first report 2 years a�er it ra�fies the CRC

and then one every 5 years.

The Commi�ee meets 3 �mes each year to look at individual country situa�ons. The

Commi�ee cannot force a country to do anything, but it can give it strong advice and

cri�cisms, and let everybody know about it.

Watch this video to learn more about the work of the Commi�ee:

h�ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48OLwCbCC5s#ac�on=share

HOW DOES THE COMMITTEE WORK WITH CHILDREN?

The Commi�ee has developed special guidelines on the par�cipa�on of children in the

CRC repor�ng. These are called the working methods:

h�ps://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/

Download.aspx?Symbolno= CRC/C/66/2&Lang=en

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 16

The Commi�ee has defined 9 principles to guide the par�cipa�on of children in its

work and make sure it is:

Transparent and informa�ve: Children should have access to

informa�on about their par�cipa�on and about their right to

express their views and for their views to be acted on.

Voluntary: It is a child’s choice to par�cipate and they can decide

not to take part at any point.

Respec�ul: Children’s views and ideas should be respected by

adults and children should be given opportuni�es to bring their

ideas and ac�vi�es.

Relevant: The ac�vi�es should be interes�ng and adapted to

children, with be space for children to put forward any issues that

are important to them.

Child-friendly environment: There should be prepara�ons so that

all children feel happy to par�cipate in the ac�vi�es, within

comfortable and friendly spaces.

Inclusive: The ac�vi�es should be open equally to all children to

take part from all communi�es and backgrounds, including

children with disabili�es.

Supported by training: Adults should be prepared for the

different ac�vi�es so that all children feel supported and listened

to.

Safe and sensi�ve to risk: Adults should make sure that children

are safe and know who to talk to if they feel unsafe.

Accountable/Follow-up: Children should get feedback on how

their views have been acted on by adults, and have a chance to

give their opinion on the results of the ac�vi�es they took part in.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 17

What does it mean to report?

The “repor�ng process” is what is done for the Commi�ee to be able to check how

countries are doing. It is a cycle in which each country writes a report, sends it to the

Commi�ee who studies it along with informa�on from other people, asks ques�ons. It

gives its conclusions and recommenda�ons to the government of the country, who

goes back home to improve the situa�on and reports again a few years later, and so on.

The Commi�ee encourages children to be involved in every part of the repor�ng

process, even in governments’ reports.

The repor�ng process is also an occasion to make people, like poli�cians, journalists

and teachers interested and aware of the situa�on of children in your country.

Who can report to the Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child?

Different people and groups can send a report to the Commi�ee before it meets with

the government.

Usually, children, NGOs, UNICEF and UN agencies, NHRIs and Ombudsmen from the

country concerned send reports to explain how well they think the government

protects and respects children’s rights. Even individual people who know the situa�on

well can also send reports.

As for children, most of those who report have had the help of an NGO in their country.

Child Rights Connect can tell you which organisa�on can support you in your country.

Repor�ng to the Commi�ee is your chance to tell the world how well, or not, your

government protects your rights. You will help the Commi�ee understand what it is

really like to be a child in your country.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 18

THE REPORTING CYCLE

Once it has received a lot of informa�on on children’s situa�on in a country, the

Commi�ee holds mee�ngs in Geneva (Switzerland) to listen to people who wrote

reports and to meet with governments.

There are two repor�ng cycles, in which the steps are a bit different: the standard

repor�ng cycle and the simplified repor�ng cycle.

THE STANDARD REPORTING CYCLE

The cycle starts when the government sends its report to the Commi�ee. Children,

NGOs, Ombudsmen, and NHRIs can send reports to the Commi�ee, three months

before the Commi�ee holds a pre-session in Geneva. This is a private mee�ng where

the Commi�ee talks to NGOs, UNICEF, Ombudsmen, NHRIs and children about what

the government is doing to put children’s rights into prac�ce, and what needs to be

done to improve things for children. The Commi�ee may also hold a separate children’s

mee�ng so that it can hear directly and privately from them.

A�er the pre-session, the Commi�ee sends the government a list of things that it

wants to know more about, called the list of issues. The government has to answer this

in wri�ng. These are called the wri�en responses.

Children, NGOs, Ombudsmen and NHRIs can send new or updated informa�on to the

Commi�ee at this point.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 19

Then the government officials travel to Geneva for a formal examina�on by the

Commi�ee. This is a public mee�ng, which means that anyone, including children, can

a�end or watch online. At this mee�ng, the government is ques�oned about its children’s

rights record.

A few weeks a�er mee�ng the government, the Commi�ee publishes its

recommenda�ons known as concluding observa�ons, saying what the government has

done well, where it has not done enough to protect children’s rights and what it must do

to improve the situa�on.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 20

The Commi�ee meets

children

(pre-session and children’s

mee�ng)

Children send reports to the

onth

s

3

Commi�ee

2 3m

Be

tw

an mon een

d 2 y ths 6

ea

rs

The government (State party) sends its

report to the Commi�ee

1 TH

STAN

5 years

later

REPO

CY

Implementa�on

9 As

so

on

as

po

of concluding observa�ons ss

and advocacy ib

le

by children

8 A few da

ys

The Commi�ee issues

recommenda�ons taking into

account all reports and mee�ngs

(concluding observa�ons)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 21

The Commi�ee

asks the government

more ques�ons (list of

issues)

1–2

week

4

s

3m

ths

on

E The government

sends a wri�en response to the

Commi�ee

DARD 5 (wri�en responses

to the list of

issues)

RTING ont

hs

CLE 1-2

m

6

Children send addi�onal

informa�on to the Commi�ee

ks

wee

3-4

7 The Commi�ee

Meets with the government and

examines the State report

(session)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 22

THE SIMPLIFIED REPORTING CYCLE

The cycle starts when the government accepts the invita�on of the Commi�ee to be

reviewed under the simplified repor�ng cycle. If the government does not accept the

invita�on, it will be reviewed under the standard repor�ng cycle.

Children, NGOs, Ombudsmen and NHRIs can send reports to the Commi�ee, three

months before the Commi�ee sends the government a list of things that it wants to

know more about, called the list of issues prior to repor�ng.

One year later, the government has to answer this in wri�ng. This is called the State

report.

Children, NGOs, Ombudsmen and NHRIs can send more informa�on to the Commi�ee,

one month before the government holds a pre-session in Geneva. This is a private

mee�ng where the Commi�ee talks to NGOs, UNICEF, Ombudsmen, NHRIs and children

about what the government is doing to put children’s rights into prac�ce, and what

needs to be done to improve things for children. The Commi�ee may also hold a

separate children’s mee�ng so that it can hear directly and privately from them.

Three months later, the government officials travel to Geneva for a formal examina�on

by the Commi�ee. This is a public mee�ng, which means that anyone, including

children, can a�end or watch online. At this mee�ng, the government is ques�oned

about its children’s rights record.

A few weeks a�er mee�ng the government, the Commi�ee publishes its

recommenda�ons known as concluding observa�ons, saying what the government has

done well, where it has not done enough to protect children’s rights and what it must do

to improve the situa�on.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 23

CASE STUDY: Engaging in the Simplified Repor�ng

Cycle for the first �me, The Netherlands, 2019

The Dutch Na�onal Youth Council (NJR), a youth-led

organiza�on in the Netherlands, engaged for the

first �me in the simplified repor�ng cycle. In addi�on

to contribu�ng to the na�onal NGO report, NJR sent

its own to inform the List of Issues Prior to Repor�ng

to the Commi�ee.

A survey was distributed to the NJR members and shared among schools in the

Netherlands. A total of 638 children filled out the survey. In addi�on, 48 children in

vulnerable situa�ons shared their opinions about children’s rights issues in the

Netherlands through interviews (individual, duo and group discussions), focus

groups, and training sessions.

The report summarised the issues that emerged from the interviews and the survey.

The focus of the report was therefore on the key issues for children, and it did not look

at all the rights of the Conven�on. Each issue describes the situa�on according to the

experiences of children and finishes with a ques�on to the government.

The close coopera�on with the Dutch Children's Rights Collec�ve who coordinated

the na�onal NGO report was key to par�cipate in the simplified repor�ng cycle for

the first �me.

Dutch Na�onal Youth Council (NJR)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 24

The Commi�ee asks the

government ques�ons (list of

issues prior to repor�ng)

Children send

reports to the 3 mo

nths

3

Commi�ee

2

Be

tw

ee

n

ye 1 a

ars nd

2

The government

(State party) accepts the invita�on of the

Commi�ee to be reviewed under 1 TH

the simplified

repor�ng procedure SIMPL

5 years

later

REPOR

CYC

Implementa�on

of concluding observa�ons

9 As

so

on

as

po

ss

ib

and advocacy le

by children

8 A few days

The Commi�ee issues

recommenda�ons taking

into account all reports and

mee�ngs (concluding

observa�ons)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 25

The government sends its

4

report to the Commi�ee

1 yea

r

3

m

ths

on

E Children submit

reports to the

5

Commi�ee

IFIED

TING ont

hs

LE 1-2

m

The Commi�ee meets

6

with children (pre-session

and children’s mee�ng)

hs

ont

3m

7 The Commi�ee meets with the

government and examines the State

report (session)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 26

I WANT TO REPORT ON CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO THE COMMITTEE –

WHAT DO I DO?

If you don’t know organisa�ons in your country that can help you, you can contact Child

Rights Connect by phone (0041225524130) or e-mail

(crcrepor�ng@childrightsconnect.org), so we can advise and support you. See also:

h�p://www.childrightsconnect.org and h�p://crcrepor�ng.childrightsconnect.org/

Child Rights Connect works with many children’s organisa�ons from all around the

world. It helps everyone, including children, to make sure that they can effec�vely take

part in the repor�ng process. It is an expert on the work of the Commi�ee and helps the

Commi�ee to listen to children.

Find out about the repor�ng �meframe of your country

To find out the dates of the pre-session and session of your country, check the official

Commi�ee’s website at h�p://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/

The dates when each government should send its report are shown on the Commi�ee’s

website:

h�ps://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/MasterCalendar.aspx

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 27

Once the report is received by the Secretariat of the Commi�ee, the country is scheduled

on the session’s calendar:

h�p://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/TreatyBodyExternal/SessionsList.aspx?Treaty=CRC

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 28

The dates of examina�ons by the Commi�ee can change,

so check the website regularly and keep in contact with

Child Rights Connect or organisa�ons in your country.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 29

Plan how to report to the Commi�ee

You need to plan what you are going to do, and when you are going to do it. Some things

to think about:

• Read the working methods of the Commi�ee for the par�cipa�on of

the children, which will guide you in all the steps of the repor�ng

process.

• How you will decide what children’s rights issues to tell the

Commi�ee about

• What type of informa�on you want to send to the Commi�ee (e.g.

sta�s�cs, figures, tes�monials, review of state policy).

• What do you hope to change and achieve through the CRC repor�ng?

• How you will gather this informa�on?

• How you will get children’s input?

• Whether there are special groups of children that should be involved

(children with disabili�es, working children, children in care, etc.)

• What other organisa�ons you should involve in your work to be

more effec�ve (government officials, parliamentarians, NGOs,

schools, or journalists)

• What help you need (training, informa�on, transla�on, organising

mee�ngs, paying for travel, etc.).

• What you can do in your country for people to know about children’s

rights and the repor�ng process.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 30

• How much money and resources you will need to do your

work.

• Who you can ask for money and resources.

• If you will send a delega�on (a group of children) to Geneva to

meet the Commi�ee.

• When to send your report to the Commi�ee.

• How much of your and other people’s �me all this will take.

• How commi�ed you and others intend to be.

• How you will balance your and others’ involvement with other

obliga�ons (school, holiday, work, sports, etc.)

Tip: Repor�ng takes a long �me and there is a lot to do, so

don’t try to do it all at once! It is best to take it one step at a

Involve other children in repor�ng

Who should be involved?

Try to get as many children as possible involved so that

the Commi�ee can hear the views of children of different

ages and backgrounds.

It is important to talk to children living in difficult circumstances so that they have the

chance to tell the Commi�ee about their lives. Include children in care (orphanages,

group homes), refugee children, Roma and traveller children, children in prisons,

children with disabili�es, street children, working children, or indigenous children.

Tip: Think about which groups of children are o�en not

able to enjoy all of their rights and think of how to

contact and work with them.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 31

What do you do to make sure all children are able to be involved?

One good way is to give children informa�on about their rights and the repor�ng process.

This can be distributed through schools, NGOs, child-led organisa�ons, children’s homes,

hospitals, youth clubs and local councils. If you have a webpage or a blog, on Facebook or

other social media, it can also be put online.

Children already involved in the repor�ng process have told us it is difficult because of

school, family and work responsibili�es.

Others have found it hard to par�cipate because of their young age, disabili�es, or

because they are homeless or in prison. Try to propose ac�vi�es adapted to each group

so they can par�cipate regardless of how much �me they have to give or who they are.

How would you like to encourage par�cipa�on in your community or country?

CASE STUDY: Making sure children in vulnerable situa�ons

are heard, Madagascar, 2019

For the very first �me, and with the key support by UNICEF, the

PFSCE together with the child rights coali�on in Madagascar

empowered children to engage in the repor�ng cycle. A total of

1197 children (597 boys and 601 girls) aged 6 to 18 from 15

different regions were engaged through a consulta�on process.

Depending on their living condi�ons, some�mes difficult, the

children were divided into 10 thema�c groups: children in

school, children accused of breaking the law, children without

parents, children with disabili�es, children who live on the

streets, children vic�ms of sexual abuse or exploita�on, girls

and boys, twin children, working children, children’s access to

nutri�on and drinking water.

A ques�onnaire was drawn up for each theme so that the children could express

themselves and discuss the situa�ons that seemed important to them. Each response

was transcribed without adult interpreta�on to reflect the exact views of the children.

Data was collected through 105 focus groups and individual interviews with children

to discuss specific and more sensi�ve situa�ons.

Plateforme de la Société Civile pour l'Enfance (PFSCE)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 32

STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO RESEARCH

Step 1: What sort of report do you want to send to the Commi�ee?

Children can submit whatever they want to the Commi�ee: reports, films, studies,

photographs, drawings, etc. Children can decide whether prepare and submit the

informa�on themselves, or to collaborate with adults and give informa�on to inform

adults’ reports.

Children who have sent informa�on to the Commi�ee in the past have taken lots of

different approaches. Some reports focused on the general state of children’s rights in

their country. Other reports concentrated their efforts on a par�cular group of children

or how rights are respected in par�cular places – such as schools or children’s homes.

Try to describe here the kind of report you would like to prepare, so that you can then

explain it to others and to adults who might help:

Tip: If some adults help you, they should look at our guide

Together with children – for children.

Step 2: Who do you want to talk to?

You might want to talk to as many children as possible, or only to groups of children that

o�en have their rights violated. Or only to a specific age group or school grade? Or only

in one region?

List here your Top 5 Targets:

1. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 33

In any case, it will probably be difficult to talk to all children who are part of your target

group(s). So, try to approach a “representa�ve sample”. This means that if you know that

in a group there are for example as many girls as boys, make sure that you approach about

the same number of girls and boys (same for age, region, ethnic or social background, etc.)

To address very difficult situa�ons, you may look out first for exis�ng informa�on

(complaints, NGO reports, child hot-lines informa�on, etc.) and discuss it among your

group of child researchers - rather than necessarily collec�ng new informa�on from

children who have been vic�ms, for instance of sexual violence, or who are living in

situa�ons where they might s�ll be hurt, such as prisons. However, child-led surveys

some�mes allow finding out about facts and / or percep�ons that adult-led research

would not reflect, so you should not avoid difficult groups or issues, but be very carefully

in planning and asking for the help of adults who know how to do it. Child Rights Connect’s

guide Together for Children – with children contains a “template risk assessment for a

children’s rights research project” that adults should use for that purpose.

Step 3: How do you find out what children think?

There are lots of different ways. You can:

• Organise days of discussion where children can talk about issues that affect them.

• If you feel you need to learn more, ask for training to acquire skills and knowledge

necessary for these ac�vi�es.

• Do surveys to collect the views of children from all over your country, especially if you

are able to use the internet (“online survey”).

• Interview small groups of children to talk in detail about their rights and what needs

to be done to protect them.

• Carry out one-to-one interviews in sensi�ve or difficult cases (for example children

who have been abused, children in prison, children with mental health difficul�es).

• Launch a na�onal call, asking children to send you their examples of where their

rights are, and are not, respected.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 34

• Look at research that has already been done – you might be able to use this in your

report for the Commi�ee.

• Involve your school, your ins�tu�on, your sports club in organising the ac�vi�es, so

that you can reach out to children you don’t even know.

You can do some or all of these things – or you might have other ideas for what will work

best for children in your country!

List other ideas that will work best for children in your country:

List other ideas that will work best for children in your

country:

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 35

No ma�er how you finally decide to collect children’s views about their rights, there are

certain things that you will need to think about:

Decide what ques�ons to ask and how

The method you choose will depend on which children you want to talk to, how much �me

you have, and how much money you have to do your research. Make sure that your

method helps you explore rights and how they are realised or not – and priori�se the most

important issues.

It is good to form a ques�on that goes well with the method you choose. You need to

remember that “closed” ques�ons (yes / no), “mul�ple choice” ques�ons (like in a quiz) or

ra�ngs (from 1 to 5, or from “very important” to “not important at all”) are easy to use.

They don’t take �me and provide answers that are easy to count, but they do not give

details you might need. “Open” ques�ons (making people give an answer other than yes or

no) take �me for the person who answers (orally or in wri�ng) and will give you more work

a�erwards, but can be great for example in an individual interview to really understand

what the person means. Generally, researchers use a mix of open and closed ques�ons:

Do you want to

ask such

Type of Example questions YES/

Question

NO/WHY

Closed survey Have you ever heard about

ques�on children’s rights? Yes / No

Mul�ple choice / How healthy is the food in your

school? On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1

Ra�ng ques�on

= very unhealthy and 5 = very

healthy)

How do you think the police treat

Open survey children? Should give you an

ques�on opinion and, possibly, some

examples

How do children in your school get

Precise open

involved in decision-making? Should

interview ques�on give you facts

How well are your rights respected?

Broad open interview Should give you info about personal

ques�on experience

An open ques�on for How well are children’s rights

discussion in a group respected in your community?

Could provide different opinions

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 36

CASE STUDIES: Finding out what children think

Selec�ng the topics for the child-led

alterna�ve report, Moldova, 2016

The core group for CRC repor�ng, composed of 25

children, led a process to select the topics of their

child-led alterna�ve report. Through a very simple

ques�onnaire, the group consulted with

approximately 500 children in Moldova to collect

their main concerns.

The core group clustered similar concerns and linked them to the

corresponding child rights in the Conven�on, using a child friendly version

in the na�onal language.

This helped the children to understand the meaning of their rights and the

responsibili�es of their governments. The children also read the last

recommenda�ons that the Commi�ee sent to the government of Moldova

and then used them to discuss the concerns raised by the children

consulted.

This process, facilitated by CRIC, helped the core group of children to

priori�se the topics to include in the alterna�ve report. This made them

more self-confident. They knew that the priori�es were representa�ve of

their peers around Moldova.

Short videos were produced in the na�onal language for each of the steps

of the children’s work on the report. Children were consulted in

development of each video. Videos were made available on a webpage

that was also developed by children:

h�ps://monitor.drepturilecopilului.md/raportul-copiilor-pentru-onu/

Child Rights Informa�on Center (CRIC)

Tip: Don’t ask too many ques�ons. You will get much be�er results

if you just concentrate on the things you really need to know.

See annex 2 for some examples of children’s rights surveys.

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 37

Selec�ng the topics for the child-led alterna�ve

report, Guatemala, 2017

In 2017, Red Niña Niño supported a child-led

par�cipa�on process which resulted in a report

to the Commi�ee prepared by the children’s

organisa�on CODENAJ (Coordinadora por los

Derechos de la Niñez, Adolescencia y Juventud)

composed of 52 child members and 5 child

coordinators.

The report was dra�ed based on consulta�ons with 405 children (230

girls, 175 boys) who are part of different organisa�ons that work for

children’s rights at na�onal level and who replied to the following five

ques�ons:

• What do we think of the situa�on of the fulfilment of our rights?

• How do we live the fulfilment of our rights in the community?

• What are the causes of non-compliance of our rights?

• Who is responsible for the fulfilment or non-fulfilment of our rights?

• What do we propose to improve the situa�on in which we live?

“Each of us responded according to our experience, social status,

geographic loca�on, cultural background and language. Our report

represented our feelings, lives, and knowledge regarding reality”.

Red Niña Niño

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 38

Dra�ing the first children’s report,

Tunisia, 2019

A broad na�onal consulta�on of NGOs was

organised with the par�cipa�on of children to

prepare a children’s report reflec�ng their

concerns, expecta�ons and requests.

24 children from 15 regions first par�cipated in the organisa�on of the first

children’s training workshop on alterna�ve reports. They key steps of the CRC

repor�ng process were discussed. The children used a summary of the last

Concluding Observa�ons of Tunisia as a reference throughout this process.

To facilitate the gathering of informa�on by the children, the associa�on ADO+

developed two working tools:

• 6 regional consulta�on workshops organized with the help of local

coordina�ng associa�ons in each region made it possible to consult 170

children, including some living difficult situa�ons: children without parents,

children accused of breaking the law, children with disabili�es;

• 2 plays wri�en and staged by children on dropping out of school and

violence within the family, partly inspired by the experiences of some of their

peers, were performed in 24 areas between 2017 and 2018. It helped to

make children’s rights known and to create discussions and debates

between children.

Associa�on ADO+

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 39

The ‘How do you see it?’ campaign,

Hungary, 2019

The ‘How do you see it?’ campaign was launched

by the Hintalovon Child Rights Founda�on using

the opportunity of the review by the Commi�ee to

raise awareness of children’s opinion about growing

up in Hungary.

The 9 principles of the Commi�ee for the par�cipa�on of children were used to

design the research. For example, an informa�on campaign on the CRC and the

repor�ng cycle was launched to make sure children could access the necessary

informa�on about their right to be heard. An online survey was used to open the

par�cipa�on to all children. In partnership with other NGOs, a specific survey was

developed for deaf children, and focus group discussions were conducted with 50

disadvantaged and children with disabili�es who otherwise could not have

par�cipated in the survey.

6 Child Rights Ambassadors par�cipated in the design and realiza�on of the

campaign and the online survey. The Child Rights Ambassadors have been very

ac�ve on social media and promoted the survey in their schools. All campaign tools

were made accessible and any child could join the campaign. The Child Rights

Ambassadors also developed 4 child-friendly leaflets and carried out a video

interview with two Commi�ee members to help other children to learn about the

UN, the Commi�ee and the repor�ng process.

A total of 5300 (aged 10 to 17) children shared their views on educa�on,

par�cipa�on, safety, family, equality, health and their future. The campaign and the

findings of the survey received great media coverage and empowered the children

to undertake awareness raising and advocacy.

A team of 4 adults ensured child safeguarding and provided con�nuous support and

training to children.

Hintalovon Child Rights Founda�on

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 40

Step 4: Do your research

Once you have decided who to speak to, how to ask and what to ask, you are ready to start

your research.

Remember to ask permission to use the informa�on people give you. It is also very

important to inform the other children about how their views will be used to inform the

Commi�ee.

You should always explain why you’re doing the research. Take this opportunity to educate

other children about their rights and the CRC. They should feel supported and empowered

in being able to raise their voice. Also, remember to get back to all the people who

par�cipated in the process to present the results and interpreta�on of their contribu�on.

Tell children that they do not have to answer any ques�ons that make them feel

uncomfortable. If you are doing interviews you will need to think of a way to record what

they say – perhaps by taking notes, or (with their permission) by tape recording the

interview.

If you do a survey, test it first and think how you will count and compile answers.

If you do an event, decide whether to take notes, ask the children to take notes or to film

the event (with their permission).

Don’t use only ques�ons – you can ask children to draw, to create a song, a play, a poem,

etc.

Remember to tell those who par�cipate how the informa�on will be used. Make sure you

give them feedback and inform them about the repor�ng process and the Commi�ee’s

final recommenda�ons.

Tip: Making sure everyone has an equal chance to par�cipate:

• Find out which children o�en don’t have a chance to have their

say (for example, younger children, refugee children, working

children, or children who aren’t in school)

• Make sure you talk to all the children who come to your events

• Use interpreters for children that don’t speak your language well,

and invite workers along to support those children that might

need extra help.

• Ask an NGO to help you think of different ways to collect

informa�on from children who find it difficult to communicate.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 41

Step 5: Analyse your findings

Once you have finished collec�ng children’s views, it is �me to work out what the

informa�on you have collected shows about children’s rights. This is called analysis. It is

easier to do your analysis one ques�on or one issue at a �me, wri�ng a summary of the

answers or the outcomes, compiling data into a table or producing a graph. Research

analysis can take a lot of �me, and you will need lots of pa�ence!

Try to balance out “quan�ta�ve informa�on” (for instance, 63% of children go to the

doctor when they are ill) and “qualita�ve informa�on” (for instance, many children living

in the countryside told us they do not go to the doctor because it is too far and too

expensive, and they are afraid to tell their parents when they feel sick).

When you are doing your analysis, keep an eye out for things that come up �me and �me

again – these will be the key themes of your research findings.

Step 6: Write your report

The Commi�ee accepts confiden�al informa�on and you can therefore decide if and when

you want to make your report public and to be published on the official Commi�ee’s

website. If you think there could be nega�ve consequences if your government or any

other stakeholder saw your report, it is very important that you consider and discuss this

in advance with the other children involved and seek adults’ advice.

You need to decide what the most important findings from your research are – these will

form the main sec�on of your report. It is important that these are your own views and

nobody imposes their ideas on you. Use sta�s�cs from your surveys, quotes from your

interviews, pictures drawn by children, photographs or case studies that children have

given you.

Unlike for adults, there are no rules about what children should include in their reports,

and what their reports should look like. It is good to give the Commi�ee a wri�en report

for them to read in advance, but videos, studies, photographs and drawings may also be

sent.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 42

Length of the report

There is no word limit for children’s reports but we recommend the text to be no longer

than 30 pages, because the Commi�ee receives a huge amount of informa�on for every

examina�on, but you can have more pages for drawings, photos, etc.

You can also have a shorter report integrated or summarised in the main adults’ NGO/

coali�on report.

Language

Reports must be in one of the 3 languages the Commi�ee uses – English, French or

Spanish. If the main language of your country is not English, French or Spanish, produce

a version of your report in your country’s main language so that children can see what

informa�on has been sent to the Commi�ee. Have it translated for the Commi�ee

a�erwards. Make sure you plan enough �me for this to be done, and do not hesitate to

contact UNICEF or foreign embassies to ask them whether they could pay for transla�on

and publica�on.

Chapters

When governments and NGOs send reports to the Commi�ee, they are asked to present

them in chapters which group the different rights in the CRC per theme. Here they are in

case you want to use them:

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 43

Write down whether you

have interes�ng

Explanation informa�on on each topic

Chapters

and whether it is worth

having it as a chapter

General measures These ar�cles say that

of implementa�on governments must do everything

(Ar�cles 4, 42, 44) they can to put the CRC into

prac�ce for all children. They also

say that governments must tell

children and adults about the CRC

and make all reports public.

Defini�on of the All of the rights in the CRC apply

child (Ar�cle 1) to everyone under 18.

General principles These ar�cles say that the best

(Ar�cles 2, 3, 6, 12) interests of the child should always

be a top priority, that children should

never be discriminated against, that

they have the right to life, and that

their views must be taken into

account.

Civil rights and These ar�cles cover the right to an

freedoms iden�ty, to say what you think

(Ar�cles 7, 8,13, (freedom of expression), freedom of

14, 15, 16, 17) religion, the right to come together

in public (freedom of associa�on),

the right to privacy and the right not

to be hurt or treated badly.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 44

Write down whether you

have interes�ng

informa�on on each topic

Chapters Explanation

and whether it is worth

having it as a chapter

Violence against These ar�cles say that

children (Ar�cles children should be protected

19, 24, 28, 34,37, 39) from any forms of violence,

physical and psychological

and that all forms of harmful

prac�ces and abuses are

forbidden.

Family environment These ar�cles talk about how

and alterna�ve care children should be treated in

(Ar�cles 5, 9, 10, 11, their families, what happens if

18, 20, 21, 25, 27) parents separate, and how

children should be treated if

they need to live away from

home.

Disability, basic These ar�cles cover the

health and welfare health care and benefits that

(Ar�cles 6, 18, 23, children should have.

24, 26, 27, 33)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 45

Write down whether you

have interes�ng informa�on

Chapters Explanation on each topic and whether

it is worth having it as a

chapter

Educa�on, leisure These ar�cles say that all

and cultural children must have an educa�on

ac�vi�es (Ar�cles that helps them become the

28, 29, 30, 31) best that they can be. Ar�cle 31

says that children must have the

chance to play and have fun.

Special protec�on These ar�cles deal with children

measures (Ar�cles in special situa�ons, including

22, 30, 32, 33, 35, refugee children, children who

36, 37, 38, 39, 40) are in trouble with the law and

children who have been taken

advantage of. They set out how

these children should be

treated.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 46

Recommenda�ons

It is important to make recommenda�ons about how things can be improved as a logical

conclusion of your findings. They should be realis�c and feasible for the government.

For instance, instead of “make all children healthy”, you could say “provide children with

free universal medical care”.

Tip: Try to find the concluding observa�ons on your country last

�me it came before the Commi�ee. Read them and see what you

think.

Step 7: What to do with your finished report?

Child Rights Connect can tell you when the Commi�ee needs to receive your report.

You should send your finished report through the online pla�orm on Child Rights

Connect’s website: www.childrightsconnect.org/upload-session-reports

You do not have to send paper copies of your report by post for the Commi�ee

members.

If you want to make your report known in your own country, you can hold a launch

event, send press releases to the media, and send your report to people that make

decisions that affect children in your country. This could be people in your government,

in parliament, your children’s ombudsman or commissioner, other NGOs, the media,

and local authori�es. It is also important to make sure your report is sent to children –

especially those that shared their views with you.

Some good examples

If you can, check out on the internet a few examples of public reports children have sent

to the Commi�ee.

Here is the database where you can find children’s reports through specific search

bu�on: www.childrightsconnect.org/alterna�ve-report-archive

You can also ask Child Rights Connect to provide you with recent examples.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 47

MEETING THE COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE

CHILD

The Commi�ee on the Rights of the Child meets with children in Geneva and through

phone or video conference.

The direct interac�on with children is key for the Commi�ee and it is usually a very

informal and empowering experience for children. It helps the Commi�ee be�er

understand what the real lives of children are like.

Children’s delega�ons

The Commi�ee is not able to pay for children or NGOs to travel to Geneva to meet with

them – this will need to be paid for by the organisa�on you work with or other sponsors.

It is up to you how many children make up your delega�on. When deciding this, you will

need to think about:

What you want to talk to the Commi�ee about – and

who is best placed to do this.

The length of the mee�ng with the Commi�ee –

one hour.

What the delega�on will do when in Geneva – other mee�ngs

and or ac�vi�es the delega�on will par�cipate in.

How much money there is to support your

delega�on.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 48

Children who have visited the Commi�ee in Geneva in the past have been chosen in

different ways. You could run a compe��on (judged by children), elect your own

representa�ves, or let the organisa�on you work with choose which children should go

with your informed consent on the selected child delegates.

Going to Geneva

The organisa�on you work with will usually plan your trip to Geneva, and may ask for

your help in doing this. The suppor�ng organisa�on will give you the informa�on you

need about what will happen in Geneva, and the kind of things you may need to take with

you. It will also help you get a passport or a visa if you need one to travel to Geneva. Child

Rights Connect can also give you advice about this and has a prac�cal handbook for all

delega�ons and children coming to Geneva. Ask for it!

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 49

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 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 50

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MEET THE

COMMITTEE?

In Geneva, children can par�cipate in the pre-session, together with the NGOs, UNICEF

and UN agencies, NHRIs and Ombudsmen and / or request and par�cipate in a separate

children’s mee�ng.

What happens in the pre-session?

Children can decide to par�cipate and speak in the pre-session, if they wish so, or to

observe.

The pre-session lasts for 2.5 hours. Par�cipants give short presenta�ons to update the

Commi�ee about children’s rights in their country. The Commi�ee then asks lots of

ques�ons – one a�er the other. Par�cipants are given a short break and then come

back into the mee�ng to answer the ques�ons. You can answer to some ques�ons if

you wish so. You will have to use the microphone as there will be interpreta�on.

What happens in the children’s mee�ng?

While submi�ng your report online, you will be asked if you want to have a private

mee�ng with the Commi�ee, either in person in Geneva, or by videoconference or

phone. This lasts for 1 hour and takes place just before the pre-session of your country.

A representa�ve of Child Rights Connect will a�end this mee�ng to support you, if

needed. Adults who are not Commi�ee members and its secretariat staff can only

a�end this mee�ng if children want them to be there and must not answer ques�ons

or give their own views.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 51

The Commi�ee members in charge of the examina�on of your country (between 2 and 4

members) will take part in the mee�ng. Child Rights Connect will tell you who they are in

advance. Other Commi�ee members may also par�cipate in the mee�ng. They will

introduce themselves and ask you who you are. They will then ask you what you want to

tell them about.

There are no rules about what you should do in this mee�ng. Many children give short

presenta�ons and then answer any ques�ons the Commi�ee has. Children may also ask the

Commi�ee some ques�ons: you can think about and prepare the ques�ons in advance, and

make sure that you have enough �me to ask them before the end of the mee�ng. It only

lasts 1 hour!

You can use PowerPoint or video for your presenta�on, so, let Child Rights Connect know if

you want to ask about such a possibility.

The Commi�ee wants to hear about your experiences and the views of children in your

country. You will not be expected to answer any personal ques�ons. And you should not

answer a ques�on if you don’t want to, or feel you don’t know.

A�er the mee�ng, you will receive a ques�onnaire from OHCHR (in paper or online). You

can share your views and give your feedback to help the Commi�ee to understand and

learn how it can improve its future mee�ngs with children.

Tip: You only have a short �me to meet with the Commi�ee – one

hour, which will pass quickly! So, tell them about the most

important issues for children in your country. Tell them what you

want them to recommend to your government. Remember, they

will have read your report before the mee�ng!

The children’s mee�ng is private. There will be no official report and

the Commi�ee will never men�on what you will have said. You

should do the same and never men�on what the Commi�ee told or

asked you.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 52

Will the Commi�ee speak my language?

The mee�ng can be in one of the three working

languages of the Commi�ee (English, French, Spanish).

As most of the Commi�ee members understand English,

interpreta�on will s�ll be needed if in another language.

If you do not feel confident in English, you will need to

ask adults if they can provide a translator for you in the

children’s mee�ng.

This is the role of the children’s chaperones, as it is explained in our Handbook for

children par�cipa�ng in children’s mee�ngs. No official interpreta�on is provided by

the UN for children’s mee�ngs. Professional interpreta�on in the six UN languages

(English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic) is only provided during the

pre-session.

Tip: If you need someone to translate during the children’s

mee�ng, please remember that it will take twice as long to

talk about things.

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 53

CASE STUDIES: Mee�ng with the Commi�ee

The See it, Say it, Change it project,

England (UK), 2015

A steering group of 22 children aged 7-18 years

and from a diverse range of backgrounds

(including Black and Minority Ethnic children,

children placed away from home, children in

homeless families, children with disabili�es,

children in contact with the jus�ce system and

refugee children) was supported by CRAE to plan

and run the project See it, Say it, Change it.

They engaged nearly 1,000 children through focus groups and an online

survey targe�ng those most likely to not have their rights respected across

England. The key child rights issues and recommenda�ons were then

compiled in a report which was sent to the Commi�ee.

The steering group was supported to par�cipate in both the children’s

mee�ng and the pre-session with the Commi�ee in Geneva. They split into

two groups to decide which were the most important issues and

recommenda�ons they wanted to share with the Commi�ee and how to

present in each mee�ng.

A third group planned their tweets and blog posts, report and mee�ngs

with the Commi�ee. From par�cipa�ng in this project, the children

reported more self-confidence, feeling empowered, and increased

knowledge of their rights, the UN treaty monitoring repor�ng process and

the UK poli�cal system.

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 54

One of the most exci�ng things in their prepara�on was talking to Child

Rights Connect over Skype before the pre-session. They asked a variety of

ques�ons from what the Commi�ee might ask to what clothes it is

appropriate to wear.

Children par�cipated in the children’s mee�ng with other children from

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Four children par�cipated in the

pre-session alongside adults from civil society: the UK Children’s

Commissioners, children’s rights alliances and the NHRI. They presented a

short statement and answered the Commi�ee’s ques�ons. One of the

child par�cipants said: "This has been a once in a life�me opportunity."

Eight months later, recommenda�ons in the concluding observa�ons

reflected the main issues raised by children in their report and mee�ngs

with the Commi�ee. From par�cipa�ng in this project, the children

reported more self-confidence, feeling empowered, and increased

knowledge of their rights, the UN treaty monitoring repor�ng process and

the UK poli�cal system.

Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), part of Just for Kids Law

“Child Voice”,

Republic of Korea, 2015-2019

The Interna�onal Child Rights Center, the Korean

Commi�ee for UNICEF, and Child Fund Korea

supported various children’s ac�vi�es in the Republic

of Korea, including child rights campaigns, policy

proposals, interviews and surveys through the “Child

Voice” project. From 2015 to 2017, the opinions of 394

children aged 10-18 and from different regions were

collected and used by 23 children of the “Child Voice”

project to write the report “Children Suffering from

Academic Pressure”.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 55

To collect addi�onal specific view of children on the topic, the children used online

& offline surveys and conducted several workshops. 1,400 children with different

background and experiences engaged. Children have led the en�re process, from

selec�ng the topics, planning the ac�vi�es and dra�ing the final report. The

children were guided by a workbook inspired by “My Pocket Guide to CRC

Repor�ng” which was developed in Korean.

In the lead up to the pre-session, the 23 children selected 4 children aged between

15 and 18 as representa�ves to par�cipate in the children’s mee�ng with the

Commi�ee in Geneva.

4 preparatory workshops were organised to prepare the core messages to share

with the Commi�ee. In 2019, the 4 children par�cipated in the children’s mee�ng

and in the formal pre-session. One of them who was in a wheelchair could talk

about the situa�on of children with disabili�es.

The children who par�cipated in this process are now organising their own

children’s organiza�on and planning child-led ac�vi�es following up on the

Commi�ee’s recommenda�ons.

Interna�onal Child Rights Center (InCRC), the Korean Commi�ee for UNICEF, and

Child Fund Korea

What happens at the Commi�ee’s session with my

government?

The session with the government is a public mee�ng and lasts 6 hours. NGOs and children

do not have a right to speak, but they can par�cipate as observers to listen to the dialogue

between the Commi�ee and the government. Anyone else can also come and listen, such

as journalists.

All the sessions are recorded and shown live on the UN web TV: h�p://webtv.un.org/

mee�ngs-events/

The session is a good opportunity to talk to the Commi�ee members again, during the

breaks. While watching the live webcast on the UN web TV, children who are at home can

send their comments to the children present in Geneva. It is also possible to speak to the

Government representa�ves in Geneva about what is important to you and persuade

them to take ac�on to make a posi�ve change.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 56

During the session, you can use social media to share the key messages of the dialogue

from the Commi�ee and the government or you can just write down what you will use

in your follow-up discussions.

You can also watch or listen the video a�er, from home or anywhere else. The dialogue

will be in English and, when available, in another language spoken in your country. You

can follow the session from where and when you can, and organize some ac�vi�es

with other children and organisa�ons.

CASE STUDY: Watching the session webcast,

Moldova, 2017

In Moldova, CRIC supported a group of 6 children to watch

live on the UN Web TV (www.webtv.un.org) the dialogue

between their government and the Commi�ee during the

session in Geneva. The children observed how the

government presented its efforts in implemen�ng the

Conven�on, and if and how the issues they raised in their

alterna�ve report were discussed.

Children sent their live comments and ques�ons to the Commi�ee members by

emailing Child Rights Connect staff, who is always present in the session room.

The webcast was an opportunity for the children to follow the session while being

in a friendly environment and without having to travel to Geneva. They were able

to receive explana�ons of the difficult language from the adult facilitators while

watching the webcast.

A�er the session, the 6 children discussed how their recommenda�ons were taken

up by the Commi�ee and the government during a workshop with the wider group

of children involved in the alterna�ve report.

Children said that this experience made them more confident as they could

influence such a high-level discussion about their rights. They also gained a be�er

understanding of the CRC repor�ng process and the role that children play in it.

Child Rights Informa�on Center (CRIC)

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 57

A RAPPORTEUR VISIT

Only a small number of children can travel to Geneva, but there are other ways to get

your messages directly to the Commi�ee, like for example by invi�ng a member of the

Commi�ee to visit children in your country. This is called a Rapporteur visit.

What is a Rapporteur / a Task Force?

The Rapporteurs are the two members of the Commi�ee who are in charge of the

examina�on of your country. A Task Force is made of 3-4 members of the Commi�ee in

charge of your country. Child Rights Connect or the organisa�on you work with will be

able to tell you who this is.

The Rapporteurs/Task Force will lead the Commi�ee’s ques�oning of children, NGOs,

UNICEF, NHRIs and Ombudsmen and the State party.

Plan a Rapporteur visit

Many NGOs decide to invite the country Rapporteur to visit their country in order to

allow him / her – and by extension the Commi�ee – to hear directly from children about

their lives as well as to meet other actors. The Rapporteur visit allows the Commi�ee to

meet children in their own environment, understand the main issues affec�ng children

and can provide more �me for children to discuss their concerns in a child friendly

se�ng. It also means that more children can talk directly to the Commi�ee about how

well their rights are respected.

This can happen only before the pre-session and children’s mee�ng, or once the

concluding observa�ons are published.

Before the pre-session, the visit could help the Rapporteurs to see what is happening in

your country by visi�ng some places and speaking with a large number of children.

A�er the concluding observa�ons, the visit can allow to speak concretely and to plan

how the recommenda�ons of the Commi�ee can be put in place in the country, and

what can be your role in monitoring the efforts of the government to execute the

recommenda�ons and their impact.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 58

The visit can be done in person, if the travel and stay are organised and supported by

some organisa�ons, and/or by the government. It can also be a virtual visit,

depending on the context. It happened that because of travel restric�ons and security

reasons, some Rapporteurs were not allowed to travel to a country. Instead, they

organise a videoconference with the children and other organisa�ons.

To invite the Rapporteur to visit your country, you will need to speak to the

organisa�on you work with and to write to the Secretariat of the Commi�ee. Child

Rights Connect can help you with that.

If/when you meet the rapporteur or find a picture on the internet, draw his or her

portrait, or ask him / her for an autograph and wri�en note for children in your

country:

Write the name and contact details of your rapporteur:

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 59

THE CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

A�er the Commi�ee has met with your government, it will publish its recommenda�ons

– called concluding observa�ons.

Who gets the concluding observa�ons?

The concluding observa�ons are sent directly to your government by the Secretariat of the

Commi�ee. The concluding observa�ons are a public document available on OHCHR

website a few weeks a�er the session:

h�ps://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/

TBSearch.aspx?Lang=en&TreatyID=5&TreatyID=10&TreatyID=11&DocTypeID=5

Child Rights Connect also announces their publica�on on social media (Facebook h�p://

www.facebook.com/childrightsconnect and Twi�er h�ps://twi�er.com/ChildRightsCnct).

Should you send them out?

The Commi�ee always recommends that the governments should make sure that the

concluding observa�ons are available and accessible to everyone in the country. However,

lots of NGOs and children’s organisa�ons help their government to do this and write child-

friendly versions of the concluding observa�ons. Some NGOs have translated the

concluding observa�ons into the languages used most by children in their countries.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 60

You might want to send the concluding observa�ons – and a children’s version – to all

the children and the organisa�ons that helped you put together your report.

It is really important that children check on the progress their government is making on

the implementa�on of the concluding observa�ons. This is because the Commi�ee only

meet with the government every 5 years – but you can take ac�on in your country

straight away!

Ask yourself:

How can children make sure the government is

taking ac�on on the concluding observa�ons?

Are there children’s rights issues that you

want to campaign on?

What can children do to spread the

word about children’s rights and the

concluding observa�ons?

How can the concluding observa�ons help

you with this?

Tip: Ask the organisa�on you work with to help you run ac�vi�es to

campaign for change on children’s rights. It can give you lots of advice

and support.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 61

Children can also cooperate with the Commi�ee by:

• Par�cipa�ng in the Days of General Discussion (DGD) held every 2 years in Geneva,

to discuss a specific topic related to children’s rights. The Commi�ee has special

working methods on child par�cipa�on in the DGDs :

h�ps://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/

Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC/C/155&Lang=en

Check the previous DGDs:

h�p://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/DiscussionDays.aspx

• Sending your opinions when the Commi�ee is wri�ng documents to explain in more

detail specific children’s rights called General Comments:

h�ps://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/TBSearch.aspx?

Lang=en&TreatyID=5&DocTypeID=11

• Send an individual communica�on to the Commi�ee by using the 3rd op�onal

protocol to the CRC if your government has ra�fied it. Check out here:

h�ps://opic.childrightsconnect.org/resources-for-children/

You can also look at the work of the other Commi�ees working on human rights and see if

you want to par�cipate in their repor�ng process, to make sure that they also discuss the

rights of the child. For instance, the Commi�ee Against Torture (CAT) could make

recommenda�ons to your government on the situa�on of children in prisons. The

Commi�ee on the Rights of Persons with Disabili�es (CRPD) could do the same for children

with disabili�es, the Commi�ee on the Elimina�on of Discrimina�on against Women

(CEDAW) for girls. You can find the list of all the Commi�ees here:

h�p://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/Pages/HumanRightsBodies.aspx

The UN is a very big system and many other opportuni�es exist for you to strengthen your

advocacy. This is also the case at the regional level where you can find “Regional human

rights mechanisms”. See the list here:

h�p://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/NHRI/Pages/Links.aspx

Child Rights Connect can help you iden�fy the best opportuni�es for your advocacy!

Remember that the more recommenda�ons your government receives, the bigger is the

pressure to implement them.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 62

FOL

LOW

-UP

The publica�on of the concluding observa�ons does

not and should not be the end of the CRC repor�ng

process. It is only the start in ge�ng change for

children’s rights and have a real impact on law, policies

and everyday lives of children. Here are some ideas to

start planning your work a�er the Commi�ee session:

Establish a permanent

children or youth group to

keep up with child-led CRC

Encourage your State to translate the monitoring, using indicators

concluding observa�ons into the developed by children.

na�onal language(s) and into a

language that children can

understand. If your State does not

do it, you can seek the support of

NGOs. Deliver children’s rights talks or

informa�on leaflets in schools, youth

clubs, children’s homes and other

ins�tu�ons to raise awareness on

where the country stands.

Ask for appointments or organise

mee�ngs with adults working with

Pick a theme from the concluding

children (unions of school teachers, of

observa�ons and organise a campaign

paediatricians, etc.) to see what you

(create a slogan, posters, s�ckers, give

could do with them to improve the

interviews on the radio or on TV saying

situa�on.

all you know about the issue and what

the Commi�ee told your government to

do about it).

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 63

Ask for appointments with

important government people

(how about mee�ng the President

Ask for a hearing at the Parliament or the Prime minister?!), to

to make parliamentarians look at discuss the concluding

laws that should be changed. observa�ons and what they plan

to do about them.

Consider bringing complaints, with

the help of lawyers, on serious cases Hold na�onal events for

of viola�on of children’s rights if the children to discuss children’s

government does not do anything rights issues.

a�er they have been raised by the

Commi�ee.

Tell and train younger children

about your experience, so that they

can carry on when you will have

Write down your lessons turned 18!

learned for the next repor�ng

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 64

USEFUL THINGS TO REMEMBER

Children who have been involved in the repor�ng process in the past have told us about the

things that helped them to really make a difference for children’s rights:

Make sure you and other children really lead the repor�ng process as

much as you want and make the decisions about the work you are

doing! At the same �me, ensure you ask for any support you might

need from adults along the way.

Get as much informa�on and advice as you can – this includes talking

to the organisa�on you work with, asking your parents or carers for

help, and finding out what children in other countries have done. Child

Rights Connect can support you to do this.

Build good rela�onships with your government if you can – this will

help you to make sure it takes ac�on on the Commi�ee’s concluding

observa�ons (recommenda�ons).

Work out who can help children to make the biggest possible impact

on the repor�ng process. This might be someone like a children’s

ombudsman or a children’s commissioner, a government minister, a

member of the Commi�ee, or the organisa�on you work with.

Don’t forget the children and adults in your local area – your friends;

your brothers or sisters; your teachers; your youth workers or social

workers; your parents, carers or other rela�ves; and your faith leaders

can really help to put children’s rights into prac�ce where you live!

Get the media involved – this will help you to hold the government to

account by raising awareness about children’s rights and the repor�ng

process.

Spread the word about children’s rights by doing things like running

ac�vi�es in schools, producing posters or leaflets, holding children’s

mee�ngs and discussion days, doing podcasts, having a website,

training adults – and pre�y much anything else you can think of!

Involve your excluded peers, those underprivileged and deprived.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 65

CASE STUDY: From the “See it, Say it, Change it” to the “Change it!”

project: children campaigning for the implementa�on of one of the

Commi�ee’s recommenda�ons, England (UK), 2016

CRAE supported a group of children to par�cipate

in the 2016 repor�ng cycle of the UK as part of the

See it, Say it, Change it project.

The project then evolved into Change it! to support

children to campaign on the implementa�on of

one of the recommenda�ons from the Concluding

Observa�ons. The Change It! team is made up of

26 members, aged 8-20 who come from all over

England. They want to make a change and to make

sure the Government listens to the Commi�ee.

The children analysed the main themes of the recommenda�ons and

decided to focus on the need to stop housing children in homeless families in

poor quality bed and breakfast accommoda�on for long periods of �me.

Many of the children in the group had experienced homelessness

themselves.

The children have been supported to carry out many campaign ac�vi�es,

including: mee�ng with the Children’s Minister, holding a young people’s

parliamentary lobbying event to discuss the issue of homelessness ,

producing a campaign film called What home means to me, and publishing

a report ‘It feels like being in Prison’: Children speak out on homelessness,

which highlights children’s experiences of living in poor quality

accommoda�on and the impact on their rights. They also developed a

campaign pack to encourage other children to join the Change it! campaign.

The campaign has been covered in na�onal and local media.

Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE), part of Just for Kids Law

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 66

USEFUL WEBSITES AND CONTACTS

COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Search “Informa�on for children” :

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/InformationForChildren.aspx

CHILD RIGHTS CONNECT WEBSITES

• Our website: h�p://www.childrightsconnect.org

• Our website on CRC repor�ng:

h�p://crcrepor�ng.childrightsconnect.org/

• Our website on OPIC with resources for children:

h�ps://opic.childrightsconnect.org/resources-for-children/

CHILD RIGHTS CONNECT PUBLICATIONS

• Our guide to help NGOs understand how to report to the Commi�ee on the Rights

of the Child:

www.childrightsconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/

EN_GuidetoCRCRepor�ngCycle_ChildRightsConnect_2014.pdf

• Our guide Together with children – for children for adults accompanying children in

CRC repor�ng:

www.childrightsconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/

With_Children_For_Children_WEB_english.pdf

• Find all our resources and publica�ons for children and youth: h�p://

www.childrightsconnect.org/publica�ons

For any ques�ons, contact Child Rights Connect at crcrepor�ng@childrightsconnect.org

or call 0041 22 552 41 30.

 MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 67

ANNEXES

ANNEX 1: The Conven�on on the Rights of the Child – The Children’s Version

The UN Conven�on on the Rights of the Child has 54 ar�cles. Ar�cles are different parts

of the CRC that say what rights children have, and how the governments should protect

them. UNICEF and Child Rights Connect have worked with children to develop this child

friendly version of the CRC. This is now the official UN version of the CRC for children.

You can find it in different languages and formats on the internet:

h�ps://weshare.unicef.org/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&STID=2AMZIFJJXAUY

There is also a guide for adults to develop child-friendly versions in other languages or

for different contexts:

www.childrightsconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cf_crc_transla�on_guide

final.pdf

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 68

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MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 75

NOTES

MY POCKET GUIDE TO CRC REPORTING 76

NOTES

Child Rights Connect

1, rue de Varembé

1202 Geneva

Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 552 41 30

Fax: +41 22 552 41 39

secretariat@childrightsconnect.org

h�p://www.childrightsconnect.org