[child-rights] Workshop on Convention on the Rights of the Child (Washington DC, 13-14 February 2003)

-----Original Message-----
From: martinirascherr <martinirascherr@yahoo.com>
[mailto:martinirascherr@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 10:11 AM
To: CHILDRIGHTSUSA@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CHILDRIGHTSUSA] Moving the CRC Forward


Folks,

We haven't communicated in a while.  I thought you would like to know
about this event.  Please plan to attend.  Call me at 202-942-0313
for more information.

December 9, 2002

TO:             Supporters of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

FROM:   Meg Gardinier, US Fund for UNICEF
                 Tom Kennedy, Covenant House
                 Marty Scherr, Child Welfare League of America

RE:             UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Legal Education Workshop and Planning Session

We would like to invite you to participate in a workshop designed to
deepen and sharpen understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child (CRC).  The CRC, ratified by every UN member nation except Somalia
and the US, is viewed by most of the world as the most important statement
of principles that guide the world's commitment to protection and
wellbeing of children.  The workshop will address in depth why the US, to
date, does not share that viewpoint.

Discussion about the CRC-what little discussion there is-is generally
laden with misinformation or legal jargon.  It is important to feel
conversant about and comfortable with the difficulties the CRC presents,
both real and imagined.  Participants should leave this workshop with that
capacity.

The two-day workshop will take place:

9:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday, February 13, 2003
9:00am to 4:00pm
Friday, February 14, 2003
Covenant House
New York and Florida Avenues
Washington, DC

The proposed agenda for is attached.

Day one is the training session.  Five experienced child rights legal
experts-some of them were involved in the original drafting of the
CRC--will deliver lectures and participate in discussions on very specific
issues.



Principal topics and presenters are:
"h The CRC Die is Cast: History, Drafting Process, Politics,
and Early
Adoption Cynthia Price Cohen, Executive Director, ChildRights
International Research Institute
"h Legal Implications: Legal Compatibility and Obstructions to
CRC
Implementation and Ratification Andre Surena, Assistant Legal Adviser
for Human Rights and Refugees, US Department of State
"h Controversial Aspects of the CRC: Right to Education,
Violence and Abuse, Freedom of Expression, Death Penalty and Others
Susan Bitensky, Professor of Law, Michigan State University -
Detroit College of Law
"h Social and Political Arguments Against Implementation and
Ratification Susan Kilbourne, Policy and Advocacy, National
Association of Child Advocates
"h Howard Davidson Director, American Bar Association, Center
on Children and the Law, will moderate the sessions.

The second day will be more action oriented.  It will be a time for
informed supporters of the CRC to focus on strategy, message and
mobilization. Emphasis will be on the planning that is involved in
launching a grassroots campaign movement towards implementation and
eventual ratification of the CRC in the US.

Participation is limited to 50 people.  The cost is $50.00.  All of
the presenters have volunteered their time but several are from out
of DC and we must cover their expenses.  The fee will also cover
lunch, breaks and incidentals.

An agenda accompanies this mailing and a registration form is
attached for your convenience.  Please let us know as soon as you can
whether you plan to attend.
  Child Welfare League of America
International Office
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
9:00am. - 5:00pm, Thursday, February 13, 2003
9:00am to 4:00pm, Friday, February 14, 2003
Covenant House
New York and Florida Avenues
Washington, DC

Moving the CRC Forward in the United States

REGISTRATION FORM

	
Name:    ______________________________________________

Organization:______________________________________________	

Address:         ______________________________________________
                  ______________________________________________
                  ______________________________________________

Phone:   _____________________Fax______________________

E-mail:  ______________________________________________


Fee Enclosed: _____________________________________________
                 (please make your $50.00 check payable to: CWLA [CRC
Workshop])

Please return this form with payment to:

                 Marty Scherr
                 Director, International Office
                 Child Welfare League of America
                 440 First Street, NW
                 Washington, DC 2001

Call or e-mail Marty with any questions at: 202-942-0313;
mscherr@cwla.org



Child Welfare League of America
International Office
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Friday, February 14, 2003
Covenant House, Florida Avenue and New York Avenue, Washington, DC

Moving the CRC Forward in the United States

AGENDA--DRAFT

TIME    ACTIVITY        PEOPLE
Thursday, February 13   	
   9:00am -   9:10 am    Welcome and Introductions       Tom Kennedy,
Covenant House
Marty Scherr, CWLA

   9:10am - 9:15AM       Rules of the Game, Moderation and How We Will
Proceed
         Howard Davidson, Director, American Bar Association, Center
on Children and the Law

   9:15am - 10:45am      The CRC Die is Cast: History, Drafting
Process, Politics, and Early Adoption
         Cynthia Price Cohen, Executive Director, ChildRights
International Research Institute
10:45am - 11:00am       Break
	
10:45am - 12:00p.m.
         Legal Implications: Legal Compatibility and Obstructions to
CRC Implementation and Ratification
         Andre Surena, Assistant Legal Adviser for Human Rights and
Refugees, US Department of State
  12:00pm - 1:00pm       Lunch
	
   1:00pm -  2:30pm
         Controversial Aspects of the CRC: Right to Education,
Violence and Abuse, Freedom of Expression, Death Penalty and Others
         Susan Bitensky, Professor of Law, Michigan State University -
Detroit College of Law
  2:30pm -   2:45pm      Break
	
  2:45pm -   4:15pm      Social and Political Arguments Against
Implementation and Ratification
         Susan Kilbourne, Policy and Advocacy Specialist, National
Association of Child Advocates

  4:15pm -   5:00pm      Wrap up discussion and brief planning session
         Howard, Tom, Marty, Meg

Friday, February 14
   9:00am - 4:00PM
The second day will be devoted to a facilitated planning session for
those committed to moving the CRC forward towards implementation and
ratification.  Focus will be on defining the most important
components of the message, defining the various audiences and
specific task planning.