NCFCAn Overview

What is the NCFC?

Set up to oversee Belize’s compliance with its international and national commitments to children

NOT an implementing agency

An advocacy, coordination, policy-advisory and M&E body.

The NCFC Timeline

Composition

The fourteen members of the committee are appointed by the Minister with responsibility for children.

The members are required to be representative of Governmental and non-governmental agencies concerned with the welfare of families and children. Members may be reappointed.

Composition

The Minister is the chairperson of the Committee, and the Executive Director is an ex-officio, non-voting member.

The Committee schedules monthly meetings

Terms of Reference

BELIZEFAMILIES AND CHILDREN ACT

CHAPTER 173REVISED EDITION 2000

SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner

under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize,Revised Edition 1980 - 1990.

This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- PageARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ACT 16

Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000.

Terms of Reference

(a) Promoting, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and ensuring that the Government meet its national and international obligations as a party to the Convention;

Terms of Reference

(b) Promoting, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the goals reached at the World Summits on the CRC, through the Belize National Plan for Human Development, Children and Youth;

Terms of Reference

(c) Promoting public awareness on the national legislation affecting families and children, and facilitating effective and efficient planning and coordination of efforts among and between NGO’s, service clubs, churches and other organizations involved in the provision of services for families and children;

Terms of Reference

(d) Ensuring that the various institutions, communities and homes in Belize understand and apply the standards of protection and care of children set out in this ACT and regulations made hereunder and in the Convention within their institutional, community or family setting

Terms of Reference

(e) Recommending and advocating to, and at different levels and institutions of the Belizean society for:

(i)Policies for the care, protection and maintenance of families and children in Belize;

(ii)The contribution of resources from the international community and the local private sector.

The Committee receives funding from GOB to operate a Secretariat housed at 62 Cleghorn St., Belize City

Recommend to GOB laws and Policies

Advocate for children’s rights

Monitors & Evaluate the Implementation of CRC and other international, regional and national commitments the government has made to children and their families

Coordinate efforts among and between GOB, non-

governmental civil society

OperationsOperations

Operations OfficerOperations Officer

Office Sup.Office Sup.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Executive DirectorExecutive Director

NCFCNCFC

MinisterMinister

Sub-CommitteesSub-Committees

Coordination/Resource MobilizationCoordination/Resource Mobilization

ProgramsPrograms

Sec./ReceptionistSec./Receptionist

Office Asst.Office Asst.

Public Education & Advocacy

& Children’s Participation

Public Education & Advocacy

& Children’s Participation

Policy & Legal ReformPolicy & Legal Reform

Key Events

Establishment of the Belize Family Court-1989

Ratification of the CRC-1990

Establishment of the NCCC-1992

Declaration of IYF-1994

NCCC reconstituted as NCFC-1994

Establishment of the FSD-DHS-1994

Passage of the FACA-1998

NCFC acquires legal status-1999 (SI-23)

Mandatory reporting regulations passed (1999)

Development of the NPA-2003/2004

Key Events

Development of National CPP-2003/04

Comprehensive review of the laws of Belize to bring into harmony with the CRC-2003/04

Proposed amendments to FACA-2003

Passage of the Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Act-2003

Development of a Draft Coordination Mechanism-2003/2004

Thank you for your attention!