Delivering on commitments

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DELIVERING ON COMMITMENTS Plan International UN Office in Geneva Annual Activity Report 2014-2015


Advocacy from the Ground Up GLOBALLY About Plan International

Our Advocacy

and largest child rights and development organisations

as an authoritative global voice to influence those with

Founded in 1937, Plan International is one of the oldest

We use our experience on the ground and our position

in the world. Plan International’s vision is of a world in

power or responsibility, in order to promote the rights of

which all children realise their full potential in societies that

children. At the international level, Plan International has

respect the rights and dignity of all people. To achieve

two offices representing the organisation at the United

this, we not only enable children and their communities

Nations Headquarters in Geneva and New York. Addi-

to have the support and services they need through our

tionally, Plan International has two regional liaison offices

51 country offices, but we also carry out advocacy

working with the European Union and the African Union.

work at all levels to change laws, policies, and practice, as well as to empower children to realise their rights.

FINLAND

NORWAY UNITED KINGDOM

CANADA

IRELAND

SWEDEN

DENMARK

NETHERLANDS BELGIUM GERMANY FRANCE SWITZERLAND

SPAIN

UNITED STATES

ITALY

EGYPT

HAITI GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MALI

HONDURAS

NIGER

SENEGAL BURKINA FASO GUINEA-BISSAU BENIN GUINEA NIGERIA GHANA SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA TOGO CAMEROON

NICARAGUA

COLOMBIA

SUDAN

SOUTH SUDAN

UGANDA

ECUADOR

ETHIOPIA

KENYA

RWANDA TANZANIA PERU

IES COUNLTAR N DOES

21

WHERE P

FUNDRAISING

BRAZIL MALAWI ZAMBIA

BOLIVIA

PARAGUAY

4 OFFICES ADVOCACY

TIONAL AT INTERNNAAL LEVEL IO AND REG 2

PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015

MOZAMBIQUE

ZIMBABWE


IN GENEVA Shaping the Discussion in Geneva

The mission of Plan International UN Office in Geneva is to improve the situation of children through strategic

Influencing policy and practice

Plan International UN Office in Geneva actively advo-

cates for child rights to be included in key processes and

advocacy activities by influencing the discussion on issues

debates taking place in Geneva, including the Human

The Office also acts as a human rights expertise hub for

Child (CRC) and the Committee on the Elimination of

relevant to children and their rights at the UN in Geneva. Plan International’s policy and strategy, and supports

the organisation’s teams and offices in their engagement with the UN.

Rights Council, the Committee on the Rights of the Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Country-based advocacy

Plan International uses the tools of the international

human rights system to ensure that every country pro-

motes, respects and fulfils the rights of all children, and

to hold Governments accountable to their commitments. The UN Office in Geneva supports Plan International's

offices around the world to engage with UN processes that review the human rights situation in their country.

These include the monitoring and reporting processes

for the CRC and the CEDAW, and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Human Rights Council.

SOUTH KOREA

JAPAN

CHINA PAKISTAN

NE AL NEPAL BANGLADESH INDIA

MYANMAR

LAOS

HONG KONG

V VIETNAM CAMBODIA

S NTRWIE CORU KS E PLAN OR

1 5 UNITIES WITH COMM

PHILIPPINES PP P NE ES E S SRI LANKA KA

THAILAND HA D

WHE

INDONESIA

81

TIMOR-LESTE R TE

MILLIOEN N

CHILDR PLAN REACHED BY

ES PROGRAMM

AUSTRALIA

PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015

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A girl smiles as she attends a Plan-sponsored elementary school in Indonesia

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PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015


From the UN Office Representative Dear Friends, Today we stand at an important crossroads for children’s rights. In November 2014, we commemorated

the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). And in September 2015, the governments of the world will decide on the new sustainable development agenda for the next 15 years.

With the adoption of the CRC and its optional protocols,

the world made important commitments to children. Now it is time to truly deliver on those commitments. We

must make a statement that in 15 years, not only will the world be a better place for children than it is today, but that no child will be left behind.

We need to scale up and redouble our efforts. Let us also work together with children and young people, listening to what they have to say and taking their voices to make sure that the rights of every girl and boy exist not just on paper, but that they are a reality.

Anne-Sophie Lois UN Representative and Head of Office Plan International UN Office in Geneva

“Throughout every stage of the 25-year history of the Convention on the Rights of the Child – from its drafting to its adoption, from its implementation on the ground to its monitoring, collaboration with actors like Plan International has been instrumental. By working together we can ensure that the rights of every child is realised.” Jorge Cardona, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015

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25 YEARS LATER On 20 November 1989, the Convention on the Rights

of the Child (CRC) was adopted. It was and remains an important and innovative piece of international law. For the first time, the world came together to acknowledge

that children are rights holders and that the best inter-

ests of the child should be the primary consideration. Today, the CRC is the most widely-ratified human rights treaty with 195 States parties, but gaps in implemen-

tation remain. The original vision of the Convention can only be achieved when those most vulnerable children can claim the entirety of their rights.

“Young people who are given the possibility to speak up and whose opinions are appreciated, are motivated to push changes forward and contribute to a peaceful and progressive society, and ultimately to a prosperous future. As we are the adults of tomorrow, every decision made today will have an impact on our lives. So considering our opinions in decision-making is essential, because it is our future!” Team CRVS, young people advocating with Plan International on birth registration

Children playing in tent camp in Nepal


Some key achievements

Some things still to be done

• Three optional protocols have been adopted that expand the protection provided to children by the CRC.

• 47% of those living on less than US$1.25 a day are aged 18 or under 1

• The number of children out of school has been reduced by half 1 • An adolescent girl today is about a third less likely to undergo FGM than 30 years ago 3

• Almost 58 million children of primary school age, or 9% of children in that age group, remain out of school 1 • 35% of the world’s children remain unregistered 1 • More than 700 million women alive today were married before age 18 2

making their voices heard “For too long, children have been silenced, their voices ­ignored or at best, put to the side. Ensuring that all

children are able to claim their rights requires us to listen to them. Are we prepared to listen and take into account what they have to say?” – Anne-Sophie Lois

Listening to children is one of the most important elements

to make sure that all those things left to be done are

done. This was one of Plan International’s key messages at a high-level event we co-organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention.

Young girl from Plan programme in Mali speaks out against female genital mutilation (FGM)

The CRC was revolutionary because it went beyond seeing children as passive recipients who needed to be provided for and protected from harm. It acknowledged that children can actively and meaningfully

contribute to society. Plan International believes that every child and young person, no matter their age, has something to say about the

issues that affect them. We must not only listen to them, but take into account their perspectives. The participation of children and young

people is a key priority for Plan International, and we try to bring this aspect into as much of our advocacy work as possible.

UNICEF. "25 Years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Is the world a better place for children?" 2014. UNICEF. "Ending Child Marriage: Progress and prospects." 2014. 3 UNICEF. "Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What might the future hold?" 2014. 1 2

PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015

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YEAR AT A GLANCE

Budgeting for Children

Made joint submission to influence content of UN report Influenced policy development on involving children in budgeting

Access to Justice

CRC@25 Co-organised high-level event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

2014

Conducted regional advocacy training for Eastern and Southern Africa

Shared expertise during roundtable at conference on the CRC

Launched report on birth registration at a side event on civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) as a human rights imperative

Produced short film on birth registration in emergency situations

Civil Registration & Vital Statistics

Influenced recommendations made to the Government of Sweden during Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Country-based Advocacy

Our Office in Numbers 16 oral and written statements delivered to the Human Rights Council and its members

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PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015

6 events organised or co-organised at UN fora

2 publications and 5 submissions to inform UN reports


This timeline is a selection of some of the main activities done by Plan International UN Office in Geneva from July 2014 - June 2015. Find out more at: http://plan-international.org/where-we-work/ geneva

Child Marriage and FGM

Influenced Human Rights Council resolution

Influenced Human Rights Council resolution on child, early and forced marriage

Provided expert input to UN report on female genital mutilation (FGM)

2015

Shared expertise on children's participation in budgeting and governance on high-level panel at the Human Rights Council

Presented report and film based on consultations conducted with over 2,000 children before the Human Rights Council

Influenced policy development on adolescents at the United Nations

adolescents

Shared expertise on combatting discrimination against girls in education as expert speaker on high-level CEDAW panel Place civil registration and vital statistics on the agenda of the Human Rights Council for the first time

Shared expert knowledge from the ground on girls' education in emergencies as only NGO speaker on high-level panel at the Human Rights Council

Education for Girls

Scan to read Plan International's report on birth registration

Plan International as an expert speaker in 6 high-level panel discussions, expert meetings and conferences

3 videos produced to spread awareness on key issues

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HIGHLIGHTS

Did You Know? Article 4 of the CRC says that States Parties are required to support the realisation of children’s rights not only in their own countries, but also in their international cooperation.

Girl from the Philippines shares what she needs after Typhoon Haiyan

Budgeting for children’s rights The issue: Nearly all governments in the world are parties to the

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This important treaty outlines a number of rights to which children are entitled,

and States have a responsibility to make those rights a reality. Children must be a priority for governments not just in word, but

also in deed, and this means intentionally dedicating resources to promote children’s rights.

Advocacy: Budgeting for children’s rights was a key issue of discussion at the Human Rights Council this year, and Plan Interna-

tional has been and continues to be actively involved in influencing

the process. Our advocacy focused on ensuring that children can participate in budgeting processes. Children know the issues that affect them, and can propose new and creative ways to address

them, if only we make space for them to meaningfully participate.

Development aid for child rights The issue: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires States who have ratified it not only to imple-

ment the rights of children in their own territories, but also in their development aid. Although many countries invest a lot of money each year to support developing countries, few of them systematically and explicitly

prioritise children’s rights in their overseas development assistance (ODA).

Advocacy: Plan International offices in Geneva and

Sweden conducted advocacy during the Universal Periodic Review of the Government of Sweden. During this ground breaking advocacy, Plan successfully lobbied

States to make the first ever recommendation to Sweden on making child rights an express priority in its development cooperation.

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PLAN INTERNATIONAL UN OFFICE IN GENEVA ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 2014-2015

Anne-Sophie Lois discusses with Jorge Cardona, Member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, at an event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Scan to watch Plan International's video on budgeting for children's rights


Boys in Peru display their identity cards

Equal opportunities for girls The issue: 1 in 5 girls around the world is denied an

education by the daily realities of poverty, violence and discrimination. Every day, girls are taken out of school, married far too young, and subjected to violence in

school. And this, right at a time when education has

the power to transform their lives and the world around them. Making it through both primary and secondary

education is critical to girls being able to help break the cycle of poverty. Advocacy: As part of Plan’s Because I am A Girl

Campaign, Plan International UN Geneva is working to marriage are top human rights priorities at the UN.

Making every person count

er substantive resolution of the Human Rights Council

of 5 have not been registered. Birth registration is a

ensure that the issues of education for girls and child This past year, Plan International influenced the first-ev-

The issue: Globally, 230 million children under the age

on child marriage, as well as spoke as the only NGO on

fundamental right of all children, but improvements

a high-level panel on girls’ education, emphasizing the

importance of girls having access to a safe and quality education.

in birth registration are rarely possible unless the entire civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system is

improved. Such registration provides individuals with the documentation often needed to have recognition of their legal identity, improving their access to essential services, such as healthcare, education and social welfare. Advocacy: Plan International successfully put civil

registration and vital statistics (CRVS) on the agenda of

the Human Rights Council, by influencing its most recent resolution on birth registration, adopted in March 2015. This is the first time governments at the Human Rights

Council have recognized the importance of integrating efforts towards universal birth registration within a comprehensive CRVS system, and Governments are

beginning to view CRVS as a key human rights concern.

Girls learning at Plan-supported Community Development Association in Egypt

“Ending child marriage is not negotiable. Through collaborations, like those between Plan International and YWCA, that advance the empowerment, leadership and rights of women and girls around the world, we can make a greater impact. Together, we can advocate and promote the equality of girls in defining a future without child marriage, while supporting married girls.” Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of the World YWCA

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Plan International United Nations Office in Geneva 1 Rue de Varembé, 5th floor – 1202 Geneva – Switzerland Tel: +41 (0) 22 749 15 20 Email: UNOfficeGeneva@plan-international.org Follow @PlanUNGeneva on Twitter Visit our website www.plan-international.org/geneva Published in 2015. Text and photos © Plan and © OHCHR Photo credit: p.1, Plan International/Nyani Quarmyne; p.4, Plan International/Niels Busch; p.6, Plan International  / Peter Bregg; p.7, Plan International/Seydou Dolo; p.10, Plan International/Pieter ten Hoopen and OHCHR/ Danielle Kirby Plan International does not take responsibility for the content of external websites

This report details some of the activities undertaken by the Plan International United Nations Office in Geneva between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015. Plan International United Nations Office in Geneva is a Branch Office of Plan International, Inc.and is registered in Switzerland under the name Plan International Inc. Warwick, Geneva branch. Plan International, Inc. has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)


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