II Civil Society Forum
Civil society organizations play an important part in the definition and achievement of hemispheric objectives of the Organization of American States (OAS) with regards to democracy, multidimensional Security, integral development and the promotion and protection of human rights in the region. The contributions of civil society actors in the framework of the OAS and its Specialized Organizations are key to define and guarantee the attainment of these objectives as well as of mandates and commitments at the international, national and local levels.
In this context, the Inter-American Children´s Institute, with the support of the OAS Department of International Affairs (DIA), the Global Movement for Children of Latin America and the Caribbean and in coordination with the Host Country for the Pan American Congress, will carry out the 2nd Civil Society Forum prior to the XXI Pan American Child Congress on August 12 and 13 of 2014 in San Salvador, El Salvador in order to offer civil society organizations that monitor the implementation of OAS initiatives – particularly in the area of violence against children and adolescents – the possibility to dialogue and exchange ideas and experiences on this topic.
This activity responds to the resolution of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) CP / RES. 759 (1217/99) “Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities,” which encourages the participation of civil society in the different areas of the organisms, meetings, forums and other events of the Organization.
The first NG°S Forum held in August 2009 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, called for dialogue to 52 representatives of 33 civil society organizations from Member States of the OAS in preparation to XX Pan American Child Congress, in Lima, Peru on September 2009.
The expected results of the 2nd Civil Society Forum prior to the Pan American Child Congress include:
- Generating a dialogue and recommendations on the theme of the theme of the XXI Pan American Child Congress for the consideration of Member State Delegations;
- Reviewing and evaluating the advances and challenges in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child 25 years after its adoption; and
- Increasing and supporting the presence, participation engagement of civil society organizations, including organizations of children and adolescents, in the monitoring and promotion of issues pertaining to children and adolescents within the Inter-American Agenda.
The event will focus on questions related to the central theme of the XXI Pan American Child Congress, “violence against children and adolescents “, with a special emphasis on 1) violence against children and adolescents 25 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 2) adolescents in conflict with the law and criminal liability systems; and 3) the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.
In addition, participants will be able, with the support of DIA and IIN, to formulate and compile recommendations that will be presented for the consideration of National Delegations. The recommendations will be submitted as conclusions in the plenary session of the XXI Pan American Child Congress which will take place in Brasilia, Brazil on December 10-12, 2014.