Working Collaboratively to Promote the Rights and Well-Being of Children Worldwide
The Geneva office serves as the United Nations liaison office of Arigatou International and works with other child rights organizations represented in Geneva and United Nations agencies and mechanisms.
In collaboration with various actors, the Geneva office works for the protection and promotion of children’s rights and contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Child Rights Connect
Child Rights Connect is an independent, non-profit network made up of more than 85 national, regional, and international organizations. Its mission is the realization of children’s rights through the United Nations human rights system.
Arigatou International has been a part of Child Rights Connect since 2003. Arigatou International – Geneva co-convenes the Working Group on Children and Violence alongside World Vision International, bringing together more than 14 international civil society organizations specialized on child rights and human rights to collaborate in advocating to end violence against children through the various human rights mechanisms in the United Nations.
This year, the Working Group completed the development of its advocacy strategy and action plan, to prioritize actions and enhance collaborations towards addressing violence against children through some of the human rights mechanisms in Geneva.
In this framework, the Working Group held meetings with Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, and Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children.
This year, Maria Lucia Uribe, Executive Director, Arigatou International – Geneva, was elected as a new member of the Child Rights Connect Executive Committee for the period 2021-2023.
Investing in Integrated Services to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children
More than 187 people tuned in for the panel discussion “Investing in Integrated Services to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children,” which was held online on March 17, 2022 on the margins of the 49th Human Rights Council.
The event was organized by the Office of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the Child Rights Connect Working Group on Children and Violence, which is composed of 17 civil society organizations and co-convened by Arigatou International – Geneva and World Vision International.
During the discussions, member states, UN entities, civil society and children themselves shared their experiences and perspectives on assessing the cost of violence, as well as the dividend paid by spending on effective violence prevention.
Ms. Uribe, Executive Director, Arigatou International – Geneva, welcomed the participants, highlighting the Working Group’s commitment to contributing to advancing the 2013 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular the goals and targets related to preventing violence against children.
Joint Statement delivered to the 49th session of the Human Rights Council:
Ms. Uribe delivered on March 15, 2022 a joint statement at the 49th session of the Human Rights Council, speaking on behalf of the Working Group on Children and Violence of Child Rights Connect.
The statement highlighted how the Covid-19 pandemic has further aggravated the well-being of children, and the gaps in government laws, policies, programs and budgets when it comes to adequately addressing violence against children.
A voice from our team:
“Seeing all of these organisations work together towards a common goal, mainstreaming child rights, has been very inspiring and has reinforced my belief that close collaboration amplifies marginalised voices, brings about meaningful change and helps develop long-lasting solutions.”
Xavier Gonzales,
Communications and Advocacy Intern,
Arigatou International - Geneva
KAICIID Network for Dialogue
The KAICIID Network for Dialogue (N4D) is a European-wide platform that brings faith and civil society actors together to promote social inclusion policies for migrants and refugees in Europe. It was created and is hosted by KAICIID. Arigatou International – Geneva is a member of the platform and participates in regular member meetings and activities which promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue for social cohesion.
During this period, our office participated in various meetings organized by the Network, including the members’ annual meeting in Belgrade on November 19–21, 2021. We also contributed to the European Policy Dialogue Forum on Refugee and Migrants (Lisbon, October 19–20, 2021), and the High-Level Dialogue on Social Cohesion (October 21, 2021).
Working Group on Child Participation of the Civil Society Forum to End Violence Against Children
The KAICIID Network for Dialogue (N4D) is a European-wide platform that brings faith and civil society actors together to promote social inclusion policies for migrants and refugees in Europe. It was created and is hosted by KAICIID. Arigatou International – Geneva is a member of the platform and participates in regular member meetings and activities which promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue for social cohesion.
During this period, our office participated in various meetings organized by the Network, including the members’ annual meeting in Belgrade on November 19–21, 2021. We also contributed to the European Policy Dialogue Forum on Refugee and Migrants (Lisbon, October 19–20, 2021), and the High-Level Dialogue on Social Cohesion (October 21, 2021).
International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development
Arigatou International is a member of PaRD, the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development. This platform brings together governmental and intergovernmental entities with diverse civil society organizations and faith-based organizations, to engage the social capital and capacities vested in diverse faith communities for sustainable development and humanitarian assistance in the spirit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ms. Uribe represented Arigatou International in PaRD at its Steering Group until the end of her term in November 2021. As a member of the Membership Sub-committee, together with representatives from the World Council of Churches, USAID and the World Bank, she was involved in the development of strategies to involve new members, particularly from the global south, and to strengthen collaboration with more governments.
This year, a project led by Arigatou International, KAICIID International Dialogue Centre, and World Vision International received a grant. The project, entitled, “Faith Sensitive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to Foster Resilience in Children on the Move,” consisted of a series of three online sessions, and the development of a booklet to raise awareness about the effectiveness of faith-inspired psychosocial support frameworks to support the resilience and well-being of children on the move.
Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies
The Geneva Global Hub aims to leverage the Geneva international community by convening actors and creating synergies for joint action so that all crisis-affected and displaced children and youth have their right to education fulfilled, respected and protected.
This year, in addition to partnering for a side event at the 47th Human Rights Council, we helped organize a brown bag lunch together with members of the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies, to discuss ethical reasoning for policy decision-making and ethics education for children.
We contributed to the development of the strategic planning of the Hub and engaged in discussions about the future course and next actions the Hub will be prioritizing.
G20 Interfaith Summit Education Working Group
The G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20) aims to advance global solutions by collaborating with religious thought leaders and political representatives. It offers an annual platform where a network of religiously linked institutions and initiatives engage on global agendas, primarily the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year, Arigatou International supported the organization of the Global Listening Initiative, which engaged children ages 14 to 18 from around the world to provide their views on the impact of Covid-19 on education. The Geneva office carried out the consultations with children in Brazil, Indonesia and Portugal.