World Fit for Children +5 (WFFC+5) has been organised by the UN General Assembly to determine the progress that has been made by Member States to make the world a better place for children and young people since the UN Special Session on Children in 2002. WFFC+5 will take place over four days in New York, and will include discussions on major issues affecting children and young people around the world, including HIV/AIDS, healthy lives, education, and protecting children.

Speaking from New York, Alex, a children’s rights investigator for the Get ready for Geneva project, said:

“As a child brought up in care, I have learned about children’s rights. I’ve tried to do as much as possible as I want other children to know their rights. I feel it is my duty to do something about it. I’m really looking forward the main UN meeting and hopefully getting the opportunity to speak about the main issues for children’s rights.”

Forty children and young people from around the world have been invited to attend the WFFC+5 sessions. From these, one boy and one girl will be chosen to address the UN General Assembly at its opening and closing sessions. After the first day of meetings, which included briefings, working groups and media training, Iqra said:

“It was great meeting delegates from all around the world and between us we spoke over 20 languages from 53 countries.”

The UN Secretary General has also commissioned a report on progress on the World Fit for Children agenda, to be presented at the General Assembly session this week.