UNICEF takes the lead in Latin American Chapter

Latin America, 30 March 2011 - After a year of leading Plan International stepped down from the position of Latin American and Caribbean Chapter (MMI-CLAC) coordinator paving the way for the new member to take over.

UNICEF has been chosen to take the steer of the chapter for the year 2011. The lead change has been announced at the Chapter’s last meeting held in Paraguay. Meeting participants expressed their gratitude for Plan’s hard and consistent work throughout the 2010 hoping for its continuance. Special thanks were given to Mónica Derer from Plan International who coordinated the efforts of the Secretariat – the Chapter’s executive body.

Adriana Negry has taken over Mónica Darer’s responsibilities becoming the new focal point in MMI-CLAC’s secretariat. Plans and activities for the coming year are expected to be laid down by UNICEF at the next meeting scheduled for the 1st and 2nd of June, following the Troika’s meeting on May 31st. In addition to projecting future actions, the meeting will also evaluate current work done to better protect child rights in Latin America. In working groups the delegates will discuss a number of child-related issues, including violence, to which many Latin American children are becoming increasingly exposed.

The MMI-CLAC is a strategic alliance of civil society organisations, inter-governmental agencies, and regional and international institutions that work together for the rights of children and adolescents in Central and South America. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the cornerstone document on which the Chapter rests upon.