Francais

CLOSE network

Established in February 1998, the Liaison Committee of Organisations Working for the Defence of Child Rights (CLOSE) is the oldest and largest network of child rights organizations in Benin.

CLOSE has more than 30 members and partners. CLOSE is open to Beninese organizations that promote children's rights, and to international partners that support such work in Benin.

Mission

To promote Children's Rights in Benin and the sub-region through:

  • Support for its members' work;
  • Advocacy and campaigning; and
  • Representation of its members at meetings of national leaders, ECOWAS Countries and the African Union.

Aims

  • To promote the general well-being of all children and support any actions/policies that contribute to this work.
  • To strengthen and support the work of organizations and associations that share our goals.
  • To facilitate the sharing of relevant information.
  • To lead projects which aim to improve the quality of children's lives.
  • To organise meetings, conferences and seminars about the issue of child rights.
  • To support awareness-raising projects and advocacy campaigns in favour of the defence of child rights.
  • To form a pressure group to mobilise the relevant parties in cases where emergency action is required.

Target groups

  • Children
  • Young people
  • Women
  • Vulnerable groups
  • Non governmental organisations
  • Local authorities

Main themes

  • Child trafficking
  • Sexual abuse and exploitation
  • Child labour
  • Child delinquency
  • Education
  • HIV/AIDS

Main areas of intervention

  • Atacora/Donga
  • Borgou/Alibori
  • Ouéme/Plateau
  • Mono/Couffo
  • Atlantique/Littoral
  • Zou/Collines

Achievements

  • Supervision of Project PROCHILD
  • Signing of the EU-CARE-CLOSE Tripartite Protocol Agreement
  • Signing of the Four-way Protocol Agreement between CARE, CLOSE and the PROCHILD Mayors and NGOs
  • Community work for the benefit of vulnerable children
  • Organisation of meetings/seminars for the sharing of relevant information
  • Consultation and Research
  • Celebration of African Children's Day
  • Elaboration and launch of Strategic Plan of Action
  • Repatriation to Za-Kpota of children trafficked to Nigeria

Members

ACFD, ADEFEDES, APFEM, ASPED, AUTRE VUE, AVPG, BEDI, CAEB, CASEED, CERIAM, CRDB, EPE, ESAM, FE-NATEL, GADDAP, GAIFEDID, GRABE, GRADEP, GRADH, INAC, La Palme, PIED, SPB, SUIVI MERE ET ENFANT, SUO, TOMORROW CHILDREN.

Partners

Anti Slavery International, Benin's Communal Authorities, CARE International, ECPAT International, European Union, The Family Ministry.