BCN is acting as co-convener with SOS Villages International of the New York Working Group on Children without Parental Care of the NGO Committee on UNICEF. The main objective of the Working Group is to disseminate and promote the implementation of the Guidelines on Alternative Care of Children.
The Working Group members are: BCN, SOS Villages International, International Movement ATD Fourth World, Family For Every Child, International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, UNICEF, Plan International and the Child Protection in Crisis Network (CPC). Meetings are held every quarter, or more frequently in preparation of events.
The specific objectives of the Working Group include:
-
Increase countries’ commitment and accountability to the implementation of the alternative care guidelines to support national care reform, through the engagement with UN country missions in NY.
-
Raise the profile of children at risk of losing parental care and children without adequate parental care to be identified and included in UNICEF’s policies and strategies.
-
Raise the profile of children at risk of losing parental care and children without adequate parental care within the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children Office’s mandate.
-
Increase information sharing and coordination among NGOs and UNICEF on issues of children without or at risk of losing parental care.