The World Summit for Children (WSC) in 1990 was a landmark global event. Pakistan has the distinction of being one of the six countries that initiated the process to bring together the largest gathering of world leaders at the United Nations till that point.

The outcome was the adoption of a set of goals for survival, development and protection of children. This was the logical follow-up to the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United Nations in 1989. Pakistan was one of the first countries to sign the CRC.

Following the World Summit for Children, Pakistan prepared a National Plan of Action to achieve the goals of survival, development and protection of children. A mid-decade review was undertaken to assess trends towards achievement of the goals.

In April 2001, a consortium of civil society organisations, led by SOS Villages in Pakistan, organised the Child Rights Festival in Lahore. The theme was "Education through Entertainment". More than 5,000 children and their families from 50 local schools participated in the event. The festival contained displays and stalls prepared by children and participating civil society organisations, on education, the environment, disabilities and child labour through street theatre and other displays. The Child Rights Festival provided an opportunity for children, parents, teachers, the private sector and civil society to express their common commitment

to fulfil the rights of Pakistani children.On the last day of the Child Rights Festival, the President of Pakistan inaugurated the Global Movement for Children and the Say Yes for Children campaign in Pakistan. Thousands of children completed the Say Yes pledge forms and were encouraged to put their handprints on a banner that will be displayed at the UN Special Session for Children. See below for further information on the Say Yes for Children campaign.

"Say Yes for Children" was initiated as an internet campaign to raise awareness about children's issues. However, as most people do not have access to the internet in Pakistan, this campaign was at first seen to be almost non-relevant to a country like Pakistan. However, with some innovative re-thinking, this initiative became an excellent channel for starting a dialogue on child rights issues in the country. The pledge forms were translated and printed in local languages. These forms were then widely distributed to marginalised and disadvantaged groups to ensure that their voices are also included in this global initiative. Due to the simplicity of the idea, it has been observed that many civil society groups have enthusiastically taken the campaign out to far-flung areas and helped in filling out thousands of forms for marginalised groups.With the help of volunteers, these forms are entered online to be included in the global initiative.

In Pakistan, 200,000 "Say Yes for Children" pledges were printed and distributed through UNICEF, Government organisations and civil society organisations. Other innovative ideas include the printing of Say Yes pledge forms in children's magazines and newspapers.

In May 2001, 27 children representing all the provinces of the country came together for three days to go through a process of orientation on the Global Movement. Organised and funded by Save the Children, it was a rare occasion when children from elite schools mingled freely with child labourers and other children from very poor families.

The initiative, which is a part of a regional South Asian initiative, has been named the Change Makers initiative, aiming at building the skills of young, motivated South Asians at becoming the actors of change in their own communities. The children together developed a set of recommendations for Pakistani policy makers. On the last day of the meeting, several high level officials of the Government of Pakistan were invited to meet the Change Makers and hear their recommendations. By meeting with the Change Makers, the officials were introduced to fresh, new ideas and a clear vision of the future.

At the end of the Change Makers workshop in Islamabad, the children held a secret ballot for electing two children to represent Pakistan in the South Asia 'Change Makers' Meeting in Kathmandu, organised jointly by UNICEF and Save the Children. In Kathmandu, the Pakistani and other children of the region met with high-level policy makers and private sector representatives and shared their views on issues confronting children of South Asia. For a full review of the meeting, view the report below.

The children's views were well reflected in"The Kathmandu Understanding" (see report below).

In July 2001, the Government of Pakistan and the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia, jointly hosted the South Asia Girl Child Symposium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Representatives from selected projects from the region were invited to share their experiences on improving different aspects of girls' lives. Each of the 12 projects represented was encouraged to bring at least two children along with the project manager.

More than 30 children and 12 adults from the region participated in the event. The voices of the children occupied center-stage throughout the workshop.

In addition to the children representing three selected projects from Pakistan, the Pakistani Change Makers were also invited to participate in the meeting. The children together jointly prepared a mural which will be displayed at the Special Session.

A variety of other events in the country have also taken place. The focus has not been 'for children', but `for children, with children`. In Karachi, a GMC walk saw the wife of the Governor and a leading social worker, walk with 5,000 children of the city to highlight the need to re-focus attention on children's rights. In the south of Punjab province, a local civil society organisation arranged a walk with more than 3,000 children and their families in support of children's rights. The same group also organised a special theatre performance for children and their families.

More than 25 children's magazines have printed special issues focusing on the GMC.

Child readers have been encouraged to contribute stories, poems and drawings on child rights issues. Special prizes will be given to the best contributions made by the children.