The power of partnership. Guiding Principles for Partnerships to End Violations Against Children During Armed Conflict

In the policy paper “The Power of Partnership: Guiding Principles for Partnerships to End Violations Against Children During Armed Conflict”, Watchlist calls for the development of sustainable and strong partnerships between UN and civil society organizations in order to protect children from violations committed against them in armed conflict situations. This paper focuses on UN and civil society partnerships as a crucial element in ensuring the success and sustainability of the nascent UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism established by UN Security Council Resolution 1612. It identifies “Guiding Principles for Building Effective Partnerships,” including: transparency; shared goals: halting violations and seeking remedies guidance provided by local partners; open communication; equality and mutual respect in identifying problems and generating solutions; and, adequate training for all partners involved. Watchlist also makes recommendations to various UN bodies and agencies, UN member states, civil society organizations and donors for ensuring the successful implementation of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism and responding to reported violations against children.