Guides to Reporting

The following tools have been developed to assist NGOs in understanding and participating in the reporting processes of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its two Optional Protocols:

• Child Participation Guides: Based on input from partners throughout the world, and internal research, the NGO Group has developed two new guides that deal holistically with how to involve children and youth at all stages throughout the CRC reporting cycle. My Pocket Guide to CRC Reporting is a child- and youth-friendly tool that provides information about how children and youth can engage with the CRC Committee and be involved in on-going monitoring of the CRC and its Optional Protocols in their respective countries. Also available in Français and Español.                       
• Together with children - for children is a companion guide to the child-friendly publication above. This booklet is a useful tool for NGOs accompanying children during the CRC reporting process and beyond, for on-going child and youth participation in the monitoring and implementation of the CRC and its Optional Protocols at the national level. Also available in Español and soon in Français.
• Reporting on the OPSC and OPAC: A Guide for Non-Governmental Organisations (2010) aims to promote the understanding of, and effective reporting on, the specific provisions of the OptionalProtocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, ChildProstitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) and the Optional Protocol to the Conventionon the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC),by NGOs. This guide is also available in Français and Español.
• Third Edition of the Guide for Non-Governmental Organizations Reporting to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (2006) provides up-to-date information on the procedures for the examination of reports submitted under the Convention and its Optional Protocols. The Guide details how NGOs can submit information to the Committee and participate in the pre-sessional working group meeting. This guide is available in several languages (see: CRC/NGO reporting).
• Guide for NGOs Reporting to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (2006) aims at supporting the reporting and monitoring processes under the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. In addition, it provides background information on the drafting of the protocol, a commentary on some of the first States parties’ reports, and information on the initial reporting processes.
• Guide to the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (2003) describes the context surrounding the adoption of the Optional Protocol, key provisions and the legislative processes involved for signature and ratification or accession. The Guide aims to support child rights advocates in generating momentum and supporting the ratification and implementation of the Optional Protocol.
• Reporting on Violence against Children: A thematic guide for Non-Governmental Organizations Reporting to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (2007) are guidelines to help NGOs to include comprehensive information on the incidence of violence in their reports to the Committee. A review of NGO reports previously submitted to the Committee concluded that the NGO information on violence against children was uneven both geographically and thematically, and that there was a need to improve the reporting function.