On 15 July, the German Government officially ratified the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The ratification of the OPSC comes shortly after the follow-up meeting of the World Congress III held in Berlin in June and ECPAT Germany’s ongoing lobbying efforts in this regard. For further information, contact sendrinec@ecpat.net.

On 6-7 July, the 11th EU-NGO Forum on Human Rights was hosted in Stockholm by the Swedish Government, which this month assumed Presidency of the European Union (EU). ECPAT was represented at the Forum by ECPAT International’s Executive Director Carmen Madrinan and other ECPAT members, including two board members from Costa Rica and Pakistan. Member organisations from Nepal, Uganda, Cambodia and Gambia also took part. Other participants at the Forum included national NGOs from around the world, international experts including the CRC Chair, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the new Special Representative on Violence against Children and members of the EU Working Party on Human Rights.

On 18 – 19 June 2009, ECPAT Foundation, Thailand organised a training on ‘Child Safe Organisations’ for 22 participants from 7 governmental organisations and 8 non-governmental organisations, in Phayao province (close to Chiang Rai). The training aimed to raise the awareness on ‘child protection within organisations’, as most participants work in shelters and schools’ dormitory. Participants were encouraged to initiate the child protection policy and procedure within their organisations. On 20 June 2009, ECPAT Foundation, Thailand facilitated one of the partner organisations, Baan Huay Krai school, to develop the child protection policy and procedure within their school, after received the training on the issue of CSO. For further information, contact ecpattk@loxinfo.co.th

Recently, the Alternative Report on the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, which provides supplementary information on Uganda’s initial report on the implementation of the Optional Protocol was completed. The report was prepared by Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN), a network of civil society organisations working to promote child rights in Uganda and a member of the ECPAT network. The report also provides an overview of the situation of children in Uganda emphasising the urgency required to do everything possible to eliminate violence and exploitation of children.

Recently, CWIN (and ECPAT Affiliate in Nepal) completed a nationwide campaign that reached thousands of children throughout Nepal. The campaign aimed to collect the views and suggestions of youth for incorporation in the country’s new constitution. As part of the campaign, CWIN decorated two buses with child right’s messages, held a nationwide essay writing competition and a street performance team connected with many districts through drama. On 5 May, a Grand National Programme to exhibit and hand over the report to the head of a constitution drafting committee was held.