Earlier this year the Georgian Government presented its Report to the Child Rights Committee (CRC) in Geneva. The CRC also received the Georgian NGO Alternative Report.  The Georgian Child Rights NGO community nominated a WomenAid in Georgia representative to be on the team presenting the NGO Alternative Report. 
 
As ‘follow up action’ a Child Rights Network Platform is being held on 7 September 2000 at which members of both the Georgian government delegation, and the NGO delegation, will review and discuss the CRC recommendations and observations with representatives from NGOs and UNICEF staff.

A Children’s Rights Agenda For the Coming Decade Paper drafted by the Child Rights Caucus.  It is hoped signatures from all NGOs supporting the statement will be presented later in September to UNICEF – the coordinating organisation of the Special Summit – as input for the draft outcome final document that UNICEF is preparing for the UNGASS and to governments.

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959, states that "the child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity." 
 
At the beginning of the 21st Century the children of the world are facing an undeclared assault upon their childhood as they suffer as a result of poverty, sexual exploitation, abuse as well as becoming the innocent victims of wars and the HIV/AIDS epidemics.
 
Children alone cannot argue for their rights - they need advocates to help them understand their rights, to work actively on their behalf and to build global, regional and national coalitions to ensure the world community is made fully aware of the abuses perpetrated on children. 
 
WomenAid International, within its Children of the World Initiative, is supporting its Caucasus partner, WomenAid in Georgia, in the creation of a Child Rights & Well-being Centre, CRWC.

 
WomenAid applies its Network Platform Concept to encourage and maintain cross-sector sustainable dialogue between government, professional bodies NGOs, the media, health, education, legal and other professionals thereby facilitating coordination.
 
The Network Platforms combined with Child Focus Round Table Dialogues contribute to policy reform, gender sensitive development and support empowerment of children goals by creating the connecting link at national, regional and international levels on critical issues involving or concerning children.