Poste - Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children

H O W D O E S C A N A D A M E A S U R E U P ?
Components of the
NGO Permanent
Monitoring Mechanism
The Need for a Permanent
Monitoring Mechanism
Monitoring the Convention on the Rights of the Child is
a complex endeavour. Although different approaches can
be taken, some kind of systematic mechanism is needed
to monitor implementation over time.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is holistic,
intricate and inter-related. Monitoring networks made up
of experts and organizations must be participatory, broad
and inclusive.
The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children has
piloted a process for monitoring that is systematic,
ongoing and true to the Convention. This mechanism
involves many networks, uses key questions to keep the
research unbiased and focused, includes situational
analyses to bring the research to life, and encourages a
diversity of viewpoints in the evaluation process.
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Guiding Principles
These guiding principles direct all aspects of
the monitoring process:
• The Convention will define the focus of the
research.
• Information will be gathered objectively
and without bias.
• The final report will be accessible and
inform future monitoring exercises.
Participation
Non-governmental organizations, experts and
children are involved throughout the
monitoring process to assist in:
• developing and reviewing the key
questions;
• identifying relevant sources of
information;
• gathering voices of youth;
• reviewing the situational analysis;
and
• evaluating compliance.
Participation can be formalized by striking
task groups for each area of research.