MEMORANDUM On Establishment and Activity of the NGO Coalition «Child’s Rights in Ukraine»
History In January 2011 the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”), having considered Third and Fourth Consolidated Periodic National Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Ukraine in 2002-2006, as well as information provided by non-governmental organizations, has developed a list of Concluding Observations and Recommendations to be fulfilled by the Government of Ukraine by 2017. The majority of problematic questions, raised by NGOs – members of the Initiative Group on Preparation of the Alternative Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Ukraine (2002-2008), were duly taken into account by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in its recommendations to the State of Ukraine. For us this document is a true roadmap towards practical implementation of children's rights in Ukraine in the nearest future.
NGO Coalition “Children's Rights in Ukraine” To ensure effective implementation of the Committee’s recommendations, and to promote the overall observance of children’s rights, this Memorandum on the establishment and activities of the NGO Coalition “Child’s Rights in Ukraine” (here in after referred to as “the Coalition”) shall be concluded.
We join our efforts to: Encourage observance of the rights of the child in Ukraine. Monitor and promote implementation of recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child concerning realization of CRC. Share the best practices in the area of children’s rights protection.
Who we are: Non-governmental and international organizations and associations that work in the best interests of children on the territory of Ukraine and signatories of this Memorandum.
Our values: The best interests of a child, equality, openness, voluntary involvement and responsibility of each Coalition’s member.
The Coalition shall undertake its activities through: General Assembly consisting of one representative of each Coalition member. General Assembly shall ensure overall management of the Coalition; make decisions on strategic issues, included in the Coalition’s agenda; and make decisions on the joint position of the Coalition. Coordination Council comprised of representatives of three organizations, elected by the General Assembly for the one year term with subsequent rotation. Coordination Council performs organizational functions and ensures day-to-day management of the Coalition. It shall be accountable to the General Assembly. The Coalition may involve independent experts in its activities as supervisors. Memorandum of the NGO Coalition On Establishment and Activity of the «Child’s Rights in Ukraine»
Our duties and responsibilities: An organization – member of the Coalition agrees with the following: 1. Member organizations establish the Coalition with the goal to consolidate efforts on ensuring the rights of the child through collection of fair and unbiased information regarding the situation with implementation of provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, its analysis and generalization in the form of annual reports. 2. Common position of the Coalition regarding observance of the rights of the child shall be formed on consensual basis. In case of failure to reach consensus, each organization shall act solely on its behalf, rather than on the part of the Coalition. 3. Partnership between members is the key precondition for supporting the Coalition’s activities. 4. The Coalition members shall accept the responsibility for collecting and processing the data regarding the situation with children’s rights within the scope of established duties. 5. The Coalition members shall participate in working meetings, planning and consultations, organized by means of electronic correspondence. 6. The Coalition members shall bend every effort to observe timeframes, approved during the working meetings or through electronic correspondence. 7. The Coalition members shall accept the responsibility for ensuring open access to materials, developed in the course of their work.
Membership in the Coalition: 1. The Coalition is open for participation of other nongovernmental and international organizations. Organizations that will join the Coalition shall enjoy maximum information support from other members in terms of establishment and organization of Coalition’s activities. 2. In order to join the Coalition, it is necessary to share its principles; to submit a Letter of Intent; and to provide recommendations of two organizations – current members of the Coalition. Decisions on the acceptance are made by the simple majority vote of the General Assembly, in presence or electronically. 3. Any member of the Coalition may withdraw from the Coalition by submitting preliminary written notification to other members at least one month prior to exit. 4. Reasons for expulsion from the Coalition include nonobservance of provisions of this Memorandum, or unjustified idleness during the six-month term.
How do we settle organizational issues: 1. All organizational issues shall be settled by the simple majority vote of the Coalition members. 2. The Coalition members shall agree on the annual action plans. 3. Coalition meetings shall occur quarterly. 4. Working groups may be established to optimize the Coalition’s work. 5. Urgent issues are considered on-line.
Concluding remarks: 1. This Memorandum shall enter into force from the date of its signing by duly authorized representatives of all member organizations, and shall remain in force during 24 months with possible prolongation. 2. All changes and additions to this Memorandum shall constitute its integral part if executed in written and signed by duly authorized representatives of the Coalition members. 3. In their activities pursuant to this Memorandum, all member organizations shall observe current legislation of Ukraine.
E-mail for correspondence: crc.ngo.ukraine@gmail.com
Signed by: 1. All-Ukrainian Foundation for Children’s Rights; 2. Association of the Young Professionals “Class”; 3. Danish Refugee Council in Ukraine; 4. Environmental Children’s Organization “Flora ”; 5. Women’s Consortium of Ukraine; 6. Partnership for Every Child; 7. Human Rights Centre “Postup”; 8. Kharkiv Regional Foundation “Public Alternative”; 9. Chernihiv NGO “M’Art”; 10. All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation “The Right to Protection”; 11. Public Movement “Faith, Hope and Love”; 12. NGO “Kharkiv Institute for Social Researches”; 13. Sumy NGO “Kalynove Grono”; 14. Charitable Foundation “Rokada”; 15. Center of Public Initiatives “Intelligence of Sumy Region”; 16. Save the Children Ukraine; 17. International Charitable Foundation “AIDS Foundation East-West” (AFEW-Ukraine); 18. Human Rights Information Centre.