Enhancing Capacity of Child/Youth-led organizations
Introduction
Shortly after the inception of Child Rights Foundation, we identified several children and youth-led organizations that were actively working to improve the lives of children in Cambodia. We invited these groups to join a network of children and youth-led organizations called the Cambodia Children and Young People Movement for Child Rights (CCYMCR), which we launched to promote understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Objective
Not only do children and young people have the most to gain from the full implementation of the UNCRC in Cambodia, they know better than anyone what their unique needs and challenges are. We believe it is therefore essential that children are not only equal partners in realizing this goal, but also that they take the lead in achieving that goal. That's why we are striving to build up the organizational and programmatic capacity of CCYMCR, which is known by its members simply as The Movement, to become a leading force for child rights in the country.
How we work
To help the CCYMCR accomplish its goals, CRF organizes regular training sessions, workshops and camps for CCYMCR members to provide them with the skills, knowledge and know-how they need to educate others about child rights-related issues and to monitor the implementation of the UNCRC. These events are also meant to give children and youth a forum to identify issues that are of concern to them, and to learn from one another's experience through the sharing and exchange of ideas and information. CRF also has provided Movement members with training in project management to strengthen the organization's capacity to plan projects, write proposals, implement and evaluate their activities.
The Movement with the assistance from CRF developed manuals on promoting the UNCRC and its implementation, which have been designed specifically for children and youth. CRF staff meets regularly with CCYMCR to exchange information, discuss challenges and plan activities.
The CRF established a Children Rights Resource Center for members of the CCYMCR network and non-members alike to study, research, meet and work. The center is equipped with two computers, each with Internet access, and it is stocked with more than 1,000 books and resource materials not only about child rights but also about Cambodian culture and literature. The resource center is located within the CRF headquarters in Phnom Penh.
Where we work
The project has been implemented in 14 provinces and municipality which CCYMCR members located. The project will directly benefit over 300 child and youth activists and reach over 1,000 children and youths.
View of Cambodian Child Representative in the World Congress III Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Under support from the Brazil Government, Ol Sopheak, a teenager boy of 18 years old, Head of a Committee for Child Rights and one of Cambodia Children and Young People Movement for Child Rights (CCYMCR)'s Team Leader was selected to participate in The World Congress III against sexual exploitation of children and adolescents that was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 23-28 November 2008. Through the cooperation with ECPAT Cambodia, he had participated in the Regional Meeting on The East Asia and Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting For The "World Congress III Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents" in Bangkok, Thailand on 14-19 August 2008.
About 3,000 people around the world including 300 children and youth strongly cooperated to make voice of children and youth influence this congress by participating, monitoring and advocating to the world to be aware and join us to stop commercial sexual exploitation of children.
"I am very happy that have a great opportunity to participate in this congress. I also was elected as child and youth representative to East Asia Pacific to present the situation of CSEC in Cambodia as well as in East Asia Pacific to relevant international institutions especially Ms. Ann Venneman, Executive Director of Unicef and other supreme delegation from Unicef. In addition, I told them about the work experience of children and youth at community in combating all form of CSEC and efforts of national children and youth network in working to promote the Convention on the Rights of the Child such as CCYMCR. I also show my commitment and recommendations in the name of children and youth to fight against this issue and we wish to be a part of solution of any issue concerning us and we strongly need support from adults."