Phnom Penh: As stated in the press conference on “The Participation of Children and Good Governance” on the evening of December 30, 2009 the representative of the Child Advocate Network (CAN) appealed for the local authorities as well as the residents to participate in the children’s movement to fulfill their mission in disseminating information to the public and the Royal Government about the awareness of the need for the participation of children in decision making with the Royal Government in order to promote children’s rights.

The youth, CHHORN Soviet, the Vice-Chief of the Child Support Team (CST) of the NGO Committee on the Rights of the Child (NGOCRC) said that the Child Advocate Network was established on September 9, 2003, with Support from NGOCRC under the initiative of five children’s clubs. The purpose of the Child Advocate Network is to promote the awareness of the implementation of the Convention on Children’s Rights and advocate for child participation at all levels. This network has also tried to ensure the implementation of the children’s rights through advocacy for children’s rights. This network also monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on Children’s Rights in Cambodia, especially in the community level. In order to realize and achieve these goals, there needs to have participation and the provision of possibility from various organizations, particularly from the local authorities as well as the Royal Government.

The youth, CHHORN Soviet, stressed that to date the Child Advocate Network has been spreading widely, leading to the link of 281 children’s clubs in 11 communities, provinces and municipalities, such as Phnom Penh, Kandal, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kompong Cham, Kompong Speu, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, Ratanak Kiri and Preah Sihanouk provinces.

The achievements realized by the Child Advocate Network were the organization of the annual conference of CAN, attending the consultative workshop to provide comments  on the second and third draft report of the Royal Government on the implementation of children’s e rights in Cambodia, participating in the celebration of International Children’s Day on June 1^st, becoming a membership of the Inter-Country Child Adoption Authority and participation in many other movements with the aim of protecting the rights and best interests of children. Meanwhile, the Child Advocate Network also sent Cambodian children representative to attend many international conferences and workshops.

The male child, KONG Sovanndeth, the female child, SOK Theary and the female child, SOK Sreypum, Chiefs of the Child Advocate Network raised the difficulties and conveniences in their work activities, particularly in terms of liaison and cooperation with local authorities who have not been aware of the activities and goals of the Child Advocate Network. Moreover, the people in the community have not yet to be interested and participate in this special movement lead by children. However, the Child Advocate Network would like to express its thanks to the Royal Government of Cambodia which has been paying attention to and affording every possibility for the Child Advocate Network when it fulfills the mission abroad.

(Rasmei Kampuchea Newspaper, January 1^st, 2010)