What is the Pan American Child Congress?

An organ of the Inter-American Children’s Institute (IIN), its objective is to promote the exchange of experiences and knowledge among member states of the inter-American system.

Since 1916, Pan American Congresses have been forums for dialogue, reflection, and communication, which have revealed the different levels achieved by the countries of the Americas in developing policies towards children and adolescents.

They also constitute a political and technical event, not only because of the exchange of information, experiences, and knowledge, but also because of the opportunity to analyze the policies implemented by the different governments of the OAS member states, as well as their successes and the challenges still confronted by these policies related to children and adolescents in the Americas.

Participants include Ministers, State Secretaries, and other high-level government authorities specializing in matters related to childhood and adolescence.  They have the character of Inter-American Specialized Conferences when they are held by resolution of the OAS General Assembly or of the Consultative Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

 

The Twentieth Pan American Child Congress

The 20th Congress responds to an IIN mandate contained in Resolutions CD/RES. 05 (82-R/07), approved at the 82nd Regular Meeting of the Directing Council (July 26-27, 2007, Cartagena de Indias), and CD/RES. 07 (83-R/08), approved by the 83rd Regular meeting of that Council (October 15-16, 2008, Ottawa, Canada). 

It was declared as “Inter-American Specialized Conference” by the Permanent Council of the OAS, through Resolution CP/RES. 949 (1688/09) of April 21, 2009. Resolution AG/RES. 2458 (XXXIX/0/09), adopted by the 39th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly on June 3, 2009, supports the decision taken by the Permanent Council and at the same time encourages the Member States “to  do their utmost to make this event a success and to be represented at the highest possible level”.

It will mark the 82nd anniversary of the founding of the IIN, the 60th anniversary of its status as a Specialized Organization of the Organization of American States (OAS), and the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This Congress will focus on the processes of participation of children and building civic-mindedness among children in member states, the formulation of rights-based public policies, ad the importance of international cooperation in strengthening these policies, and on fostering an exchange of experiences on comprehensive protection systems.

On August 25-26, 2009 took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Forum for Civil prior to the XX Pan American Child Congress, with the participation of 73 representatives of 31 civil society organizations from 11 OAS Member States and they discussed and compiled their recommendations on the four themes of the XX Pan American Congress.

 

First Pan American Forum on Children and Adolescents

The First Pan American Forum on Children that is part of the 20th Pan American Congress, reflects an interest on the part of member states to create a space in which children and adolescents can make their voices heard and receive views and suggestions.  The First Pan American Forum and the 20th Pan American Congress itself offer opportunities for intergenerational dialogue, in addition to events specifically for adolescents.

The Forum will be held September 21 to 25, with the participation of adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age from all countries of the region. Its purpose is to foster the participation of children and adolescents in an official activity in which they will have the opportunity to exercise their right to express opinions and be heard by the authorities responsible for designing and implementing public policies related to children in the region.   

 

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