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A young relative at a village in Peru proudly shows off an infant boy who has enjoyed the benefit of exclusive breastfeeding.

Days of General Discussion

The Committee on the Rights of the Child holds a general discussion every September in Geneva on a specific article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child or related subject. These meetings provide an opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of the contents and implications of the CRC. The day of general discussion focuses on a topic selected by the Committee and is announced a year in advance of the event.

To help NGOs understand how they can effectively contribute to, and participate in, days of general discussion, the NGO Group has produced a fact sheet in English, French and Spanish.

2012 Day of General Discussion

The 2012 Day of General Discussion is currently scheduled to take place on 28 September 2012. The topic for this year will be 'Children in Migration Situations'. The Committee is working to define the scope of the day's discussion; further information will be available here, as well as on the OHCHR website, in the months ahead. As with other DGDs, there will be a call for written submissions, as well as information on how to register and attend the day itself.  The 2011 Day of General Discussion will take place on 30th September at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The theme for this year's day will be 'Children of Incarcerated Parents'. 

Participation and Written Contributions

Representatives from governments, UN mechanisms, UN bodies and specialized agencies, NGOs, national human rights institutions as well as individual children and experts can participate in the day of general discussion.

Interested organizations or individuals may submit written contributions. Previously published materials may be submitted to the Committee but will not be distributed to participants unless made available in sufficient quantities. Contributions should give examples as to the implementation of relevant articles of the CRC, share information on best practices, assess efforts being made, identify gaps and make recommendations for action which should be taken by States parties.  The Committee has prepared guidelines on the submission of information and participation in the meeting.

Submissions from NGOs, UN agencies, governments and individual experts are available online.

Recent days of general discussion

Since 1992, the Committee has held eighteen days of general discussion. The following are outcome documents from discussions held since 2003:

The final report of the 2011 DGD on Children of Incarcerated Parents (2011) will be available in Spring 2012. To look at written submissions and other information on the day, click here.

Following each day of general discussion, the Committee adopts a series of recommendations for States parties. Earlier recommendations have called for studies to be done by the UN General Assembly (Study on Children in Armed Conflict; Study on Violence against Children) or have made proposals for drafting new international instruments (Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict; International Standards for the Protection and Alternative Care of Children without Parental Care).  Written and oral input from the discussions has also contributed to the subsequent drafting of general comments on similar topics (HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child; implementing child rights in early childhood; the rights of children with disabilities).  Although recommendations are made to States parties, they may assist all stakeholders in better understanding the provisions of the Convention.