Days of General Discussion

The Committee on the Rights of the Child holds a general discussion every September in Geneva on a specific article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child or related subject. These meetings provide an opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of the contents and implications of the CRC. The day of general discussion focuses on a topic selected by the Committee and is announced a year in advance of the event.

To help NGOs understand how they can effectively contribute to, and participate in, days of general discussion, the NGO Group has produced a fact sheet in English, French and Spanish.

2009 Day of General Discussion

There will not be a usual Day of General Discussion as this year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This event is called 'Dignity, Development, and Dialogue . . . More to be Done!' and will be held on 8 - 9 October in Geneva. More information will be posted to this website in coming weeks.

The procedure for registration and participation is also different and will be made available soon.

Participation and Written Contributions

Representatives from governments, UN mechanisms, UN bodies and specialized agencies, NGOs, national human rights institutions as well as individual children and experts can participate in the day of general discussion.

Interested organizations or individuals may submit written contributions. Previously published materials may be submitted to the Committee but will not be distributed to participants unless made available in sufficient quantities. Contributions should give examples as to the implementation of relevant articles of the CRC, share information on best practices, assess efforts being made, identify gaps and make recommendations for action which should be taken by States parties.  The Committee has prepared guidelines on the submission of information and participation in the meeting.

Submissions from NGOs, UN agencies, governments and individual experts are available online.

Registration

In order to attend the meeting, a registration form must be completed and submitted to the Secretariat of the Committee prior to 15 July 2008.  Due to the limited number of places (there is room for 120 participants), interested NGOs should send their registration forms as early as possible to ensure that they can take part in the meeting. There is no registration fee but no funding is available for travel expenses.

Previous days of general discussion

Since 1992, the Committee has held seventeen days of general discussion.

• Children in armed conflicts (1992)
• Economic exploitation of children (1993)
• The role of the family in the promotion of the rights of the child (1994)
• The girl child (1995)
• Administration of juvenile justice (1995)
• The child and the media (1996)
• The rights of children with disabilities (1997)
• Children living in a world with AIDS (1998)
• Tenth anniversary of the CRC commemorative meeting: achievements and challenges (1999)
• State violence against children (2000)
• Violence against children, within the family and in schools (2001)
• The private sector as a service provider (2002)
• The rights of indigenous children (2003)
• Implementing child rights in early childhood (2004)
• Children without parental care (2005)
• The right of the child to be heard (2006)
• Resources for the rights of the child - responsibility of states (2007)
• The right of the child to education in emergency situations (2008)

Following each day of general discussion, the Committee adopts a series of recommendations for States parties. Earlier recommendations have called for studies to be done by the UN General Assembly (Study on Children in Armed Conflict; Study on Violence against Children) or have made proposals for drafting new international instruments (Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict; International Standards for the Protection and Alternative Care of Children without Parental Care).  Written and oral input from the discussions has also contributed to the subsequent drafting of general comments on similar topics (HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child; implementing child rights in early childhood; the rights of children with disabilities).  Although recommendations are made to States parties, they may assist all stakeholders in better understanding the provisions of the Convention.