Childwatch International, The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)  and the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
invite you to
A Global Conference on Research and Child Rights


Children’s Rights at a crossroads


Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 30th November – 2nd December 2009

The 20th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child marks a crossroads for policy, research and practice. There is a need for critical reflection and dialogue across sectors about the role of research in the realization of child rights. By reflecting on current practices and learning from experience, we can better ensure that policies are based on solid evidence - for, about and by children.

Keynote Speakers and Plenary Panellists
  • Agnes Aidoo, Member of the UN CRC Committee
  • Assefa Bequele, Director, The African Child Policy Forum
  • Shirin Cziffra, Ombudsperson for Children, Mauritius
  • Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhate, Chair The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
  • Jaap Doek, Chair UN CRC Committee 2001-2007
  • Julie Meeks Gardner, University of the West Indies
  • Bience Philomina Gawanas, Commissioner of Social Affairs, Africa Commission
  • Simon Heap, Global Research Portfolio Co-ordinator, Plan Interantional
  • Haktor Helland, The Norwegian Ministry of Children and Equality
  • Lothar Krappmann, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
  • Yanghee Lee, Chair UN CRC Committee
  • Stephen Lewis, Special envoy for AIDS in Africa 2001-2006
  • Richard Morgan, Director Policy and Practice, UNICEF
  • Marta Santos Pais, UN Special representative on violence against children
  • David Parker, Unicef Innocenti Research Centre
  • Irene Rizzini, President Childwatch International
  • Rose September, University of the Western Cape
  • ++
Moderators and presenters
  • Moderators and presenters
  • Stuart Aitkin, San Diego State University
  • Jo Boyden, Young Lives
  • Robert Chaskin, Chapin Hall, Chicago
  • Robbie Gilligan, Trinity College Dublin
  • Frank Hagemann, ILO
  • Roger Hart, City University New York
  • Leif Jensen, Penn State University, Comparative Research Programme on Poverty
  • G.K Lieten., University of Amsterdam
  • Jan Mason, University of Western Sidney
  • Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg
  • Gerardo Sauri, Derechos Infancia México
  • Vishanthie Sewpaul, University of KwaZulu Natal
  • Mohammed Shaheen, Al-Quds University
  • ++
The conference is organized by:
  • Childwatch International Research Network
  • The African Child Policy Forum
  • UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre

In collaboration with:
  • The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
  • Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • UNICEF
  • Oak Foundation
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
  • The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
  • The Comparative Research Programme on Poverty
  • Department of Social Work Stockholm University
  • Overseas Development Institute
 The Conference

Children's Rights at a Crossroads is a working conference where policy makers, civil servants, researchers, young people and practitioners are invited to present their experiences and ideas, while analyzing and discussing the role of research in the development of policies and practices. Through this dialogue the aim is to create a more relevant knowledge base for future child rights strategies that safeguard children’s rights. The following questions are raised through plenaries and roundtable discussions:
  • What is the current context facing child rights policies and child rights relevant research?
  • How can research contribute to advancing child rights?
  • Bridging the Gap: What are the necessary conditions for optimizing the contribution of research?
The Outcome

The working conference will develop a set of evidence-based recommendations as to what policy makers, UN agencies, academic institutions, development agencies and NGOs should do to ensure that future child rights strategies are based on solid evidence. These recommendations will be presented in an outcome document which will be used for high-level advocacy with international agencies and national governments.

Round Tables

Roundtable discussions will facilitate dialogue among the conference participants. Specific themes and the organizational framework for child rights research will be discussed. These discussions will be the key arena for generating the recommendations to be presented in the outcome document. The roundtables are organized and chaired by respected scholars and experts within the specific fields.

Thematic Roundtables:
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Education and Early Childhood
  • Policies and Legislation
  • Governance and Participation
  • Poverty and Inequality
  • Environment and Habitat
  • Migration and Dislocation
  • Child Labour
Research Policy Roundtables:
  • Studies and models of research – policy dialogue
  • Research as a basis for Monitoring and Reporting systems
  • Funding and commissioning of Child Research.
  • Global Economic Policies
  • Child research as a national infrastructure
  • Participatory Child Research – The role and capacity of NGOs, CBOs and Academics
  • Academic Capacity Building
Young People involved in Research processes

Young people who have been involved in research processes will present their work and their reflections in plenary and through participation in the discussion in relevant round tables. Their contributions will be reflected in the outcome document.

Poster Presentations

Participants are invited to exhibit poster presentations of research, child rights projects, publications etc.

Conference Venue:

The UN Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Registration

Participation
We are inviting policy makers, civil servants, NGO staff, researchers, and practitioners to present their experiences and ideas in this working conference.

Conference Fee

Participants from high income countries, see link, will pay a conference fee of 300 US Dollars.
The payment should be made to Childwatch International at The University of Oslo, Norway in Norwegian Kroner (1800Nok)

Secure internet payment solution provided at this page:


Travel and Accommodation
Participants will cover their own travel and accommodation

Recommended Hotels

Travel Grants for NGOs from Low Income Countries
A small travel grant ( maximum of 1500 USD) is available for participants representing smaller NGOs working on Child rights issues in low income countries.

The applying NGO must be working on a child rights mandate.
The following information must be provided:
  • Name of the organization
  • Country of operation
  • Funding partners
  • Brief presentation of scope of work and mode of operation.
  • How will participation in the conference contribute to the work of the organization?
  • Name and designation of the person to attend the conference

Deadline: November 1st

The Application should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please write "NGO grant" on the Email subject line.

Visa Requirements
All foreign nationals must obtain a business visa to be able to come to Ethiopia for this conference:
  • Participants must apply for a business visa at the Ethiopian Embassy in their country of origin. The ACPF Conference Secretariat will issue a confirmation letter for participants to use for their visa application.
  • Participants coming from countries where the Ethiopian Embassy is not represented are urged to obtain an entry visa from any neighboring country where there is an Ethiopian Mission.
  • Please note that the Ethiopian Immigration Authority will not issue business visas upon arrival, therefore obtain your entry visa before your trip to Ethiopia.
We advise all participants to process/finalize their visa requirements two weeks in advance of the Conference start date.

Deadline for Registration : November 11th, 2009