The Manara Network is a voluntary coalition of Arab civil society organizations working in the field of children’s rights. These organizations share common interests and adopt international human rights law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Arab Charter on the Rights of the Child, as key references guiding their work in a way that ensures the best interests of the child.
The network aims to increase and exchange expertise and knowledge, monitor and observe children’s rights in the Arab world, and assess the extent to which Arab child-related legislation aligns with international standards, especially the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also serves as a platform for advocating for the rights of Arab children at the local, regional, and international levels in order to build an Arab society worthy of children.
The participation of children and youth is considered one of the fundamental principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which affirms that children and young people have the right to freely express their opinions and that there is an obligation to listen to children’s views and facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them within their families, schools, local communities, public services, institutions, government policies, and judicial procedures.
Promoting children’s participation is one of the network’s key strategic goals through empowering children to actively participate in planning, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring processes that affect their lives.
To strengthen children’s participation, particularly at the regional and international levels, and to enable them to become advocates for children’s rights through education and training in child rights, including learning how to empower other children to expand their positive impact regionally and internationally, the network also promotes communication and close exchange with other children on regional and international levels. This helps develop knowledge and understanding of different challenges and good practices related to children’s rights in various contexts and supports children in elevating their current actions to regional and international levels.
Tasks:
Therefore, a permanent Regional Child Advisory Committee was established, composed of 20 boys and girls from 10 Arab countries, to undertake the following tasks:
- Guide the network in developing its new strategy.
- Assist the network in ensuring a strong connection between its advocacy interventions and the issues faced by children.
- Reach out to child-led initiatives and campaigns to become part of the work of the Manara Network.
- Represent the children of the network at regional and international levels.
- Act as a regional platform for advocating children’s rights at both regional and international levels.
Inclusion:
Ensuring that the selection process is fair and equal in order to create a diverse group representing all countries included in the network, from varied social and economic backgrounds, with equal representation of girls and boys, diversity in age groups, different interests in children’s rights, and representation of children with disabilities or any additional needs.
Key Considerations:
- Total Number: 20 boys and girls will be selected.
- Age: Members must not turn 18 before the end of their term, with the minimum age being 10 years old.
- Gender: Equal balance between boys and girls.
- Country/Region: Representation from all countries included in the network.
- Background: Inclusion of children from diverse social and economic backgrounds.
- Diverse Groups: Including children with disabilities.
- Representation/Experience: Children selected by their peers whenever possible and who are already part of nationally established groups within member organizations of the network.
- Interests: Children interested in advocating for children’s rights and empowering their peers.
Transparency:
A clear, simple, and fair process for selecting children.
Main Procedures:
- Child-friendly information about the child selection process is shared throughout the Manara Network and among partner organizations.
- The Manara Network is available to explain the child selection process.
Child Leadership:
The advisory committee is led by the children’s team.
Main Procedures:
- Internal regulations for the committee are developed under the leadership of children.
- The committee’s action plan is developed under the leadership of children.
- The selection process is regularly reviewed and updated with children.
- The advisory team renewal process is carried out by the outgoing team.