Resolution on Children

16th World Council of YMCAs - Durban, South Africa 2006

The 16th World Council of YMCAs, held in July 2006, adopted a Resolution on Protecting the Rights of Children

The group proposes that the World Movement of YMCAs adopt a rights-based approach in the development, support and implementation of public policies, programs and activities for promoting the survival, development, protection and participation of children and adolescents.

Guided by the convention the Rights of the Child, the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Millennium Development Goals and based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the YMCA and UNICEF, we recommend the establishment of an international YMCA network on Children and Adolescents' Rights to share experiences, best practices and expertise to help the movement become a strong partner in the defence and the promotion of children and adolescents' rights.

We recommend the World Alliance to consider the following priority actions:

· Recommend the World Alliance to encourage the design and the implementation of programmes to protect children against sexual, commercial exploitation, child labour, early marriages and sexual abuse.

· Recommend developing YMCA programs and activities specially designed to reach out to children and youth in rural areas and indigenous populations.

· Recommend National Movements to become members of already established national and international networks on children's rights and related issues.

· Recommend the World Alliance to launch a global campaign against child abuse, specifically on issues regarding sexual and commercial exploitation of children (could be related to the International Day Against Child Abuse on 19 November)

· Recommend that the Week of Prayer 2007 focus on children's rights.

The YMCAs presenting and supporting the Resolution commit themselves to promote and support the above-mentioned actions

Submitted by: YMCA Ecuador

Seconded by: Colombian Federation of YMCAs

El Salvador YMCA

Honduras YMCA

Costa Rica YMCA

Argentina YMCA

16th World Council of YMCAs - Durban, South Africa 10-15th July 2006