Author: Aimy Ogaeri

Regional Children’s Advisory Committee Meeting Held to Strengthen African Advocacy

Representatives from the Children’s Advisory Committees (CAC) of Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya, Lebanon, and Zimbabwe met in Harare, Zimbabwe from April, 20th to April 23rd, 2024, for the African Regional CAC Meeting. This gathering was organized to foster collaboration; it served as a platform for children and youth across these countries to exchange their realities, share experiences, and brainstorm new strategies. Throughout the discussions, participants highlighted the diverse challenges faced by working children in their respective regions, offering insights into the unique circumstances each country faces. The meeting provided an opportunity for these young advocates to learn from one another, strengthening their collective resolve to address child labor and other issues that are most relevant to them, such as climate change. In addition to sharing personal experiences, the representatives engaged in advocacy planning sessions aimed at creating strategies that can be implemented across borders. This regional collaboration underscores the importance of a unified approach in tackling the complex issues surrounding child labor and child rights. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue working together in …

Peru hosts the Latin American Regional Children’s Advisory Committee Meeting

From February 29th to March 4th, 2024, the Latin American Regional Children’s Advisory Committee (CAC) Meeting was held in Lima, Peru. This event was the result of months of preparation, with CAC members meeting virtually to develop the program and agenda. Representatives from Peru, Guatemala and Bolivia collaborated in advance, ensuring a meaningful gathering. The meeting began with an introduction to the Dialogue Works program, where CAC members presented their initiatives from each community. This was followed by an analysis of the realities of children’s rights in each country, focusing on key issues such as education, health, and child labor. The participants worked together to identify progress and challenges in these areas, creating a platform for sharing strategies and solutions. One of the key activities was a media and advocacy workshop, where a child rights journalist provided insights on effective communication strategies. CAC members engaged in role-playing exercises and created a video to practice delivering impactful messages. The meeting also included discussions on future collaboration, where CAC members brainstormed and planned joint activities for 2024. …

Revitalizing the Universal Commitment to All Children’s Rights

On December 12, 2023, as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, the Palais des Nations in Geneva hosted a hybrid event titled “UDHR75: Revitalizing the Universal Commitment to All Children’s Rights with and for Children.” Organized by Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages International, Terre des Hommes International Federation, World Vision International, and the Child Rights Connect Working Group on Child Participation, the event featured co-sponsorship from the European Union, the Permanent Missions of Uruguay, Bulgaria, and Malawi. Since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989, there has been a global push to integrate children’s rights comprehensively across all policy areas. However, challenges remain, including a general resistance against child rights and children’s agency, which threatens to weaken the progress. This side-event has offered a intergenerational dialogue involving states, the UN, civil society, and children themselves. The discussion focused on sharing good practices for mainstreaming child rights and enhancing children’s participation in policy agendas. Participants explored key opportunities …

Media Youth Group of Dialogue Works kicks off

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Media Youth Group, an initiative to empower working children through media. This new group will play a crucial role in amplifying their voices through the social media channels of Dialogue Works. The Media Youth Group aims to use the power of social media to advocate for the rights of working children. The initiative includes a diverse team of children from Latin America, Africa and Asia, ensuring a wide range of perspectives and experiences. These young media advocates will be actively involved in creating and sharing content that highlights their stories and the challenges they face. In its first phase, the Media Youth Group will participate in intensive media training, focusing on communication skills, digital safety, and advocacy techniques. This training will equip them with the tools needed to effectively engage with social media, produce compelling content, and contribute to meaningful conversations about child labor. The group will also guide our media strategies, helping to shape campaigns and outreach efforts. By representing their peers and sharing their …

African Climate Summit: voices of youth advocates

The African Climate Summit, held in Nairobi, brought together Child Advisory Committee members of Dialogue Works like Julie, Mike, Phenylle and Diana, who are also actively engaged in addressing climate change within their communities. These youth delegates, representing the organization Welfare of Children and Youth Kenya, shared their experiences and insights about climate issues, their expectations from countries responsible for climate change, and recommendations for a better approach to include working children and youth in international policy debates.

Empowering voices for gender equality at the Women Deliver Conference

The Women Deliver Conference, a global platform dedicated to gender equality and the promotion of health, rights and well-being of girls and women, took place for the first time this year in an African country, Rwanda. During this special milestone, Elisabeth (16 years old) and Prisca (15 years old), two members of our Children Advisory Committee (CAC) from Dialogue Works partner organization Children’s Voice Today (CVT), made their mark on the conference by making their voices heard.