FMSI and the Secretariat of Solidarity Visit Geneva

FMSI and the Secretariat of Solidarity Visit Geneva:
the Commitment of the Institute to Child Rights Advocacy

As part of their mission to serve the institute to child rights advocacy, the staff of FMSI (Marist International Solidarity Foundation ETS) and the Secretariat of Solidarity recently visited Geneva, engaging in a series of strategic meetings at the FMSI office and the United Nations Palace. 

Meeting and collaborating with strategic partners such as Franciscan International, Edmund Rice, and CCIG is crucial for FMSI and the Secretariat of Solidarity. These long-standing partnerships amplify their advocacy efforts, allowing for a broader exchange of insights and resources. Working together with these esteemed organizations enhances their collective impact on promoting and protecting child rights, ensuring a more coordinated and effective approach to addressing global challenges faced by vulnerable children and communities.

This visit underscores the Institute of the Marist Brothers' unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of children and young people, particularly those in vulnerable conditions, and empowering them to actively participate in the advocacy process. 

Since 2007, the Institute of the Marist Brothers and FMSI have been dedicated to defending human rights by engaging in United Nations mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This commitment aligns with the Marist charism, which emphasizes the education, protection, and empowerment of children and young people across 80 countries worldwide.

The Marist Brothers engaging with the United Nations

A pivotal part of the Marist Brothers' and FMSI's strategy is their engagement with various United Nations advocacy mechanisms. Among these, the UPR stands out as a crucial tool, enabling them to present reports and recommendations to the UN. 

The active participation of civil society organizations in the UPR process is essential for enhancing the accountability of governments and advancing human rights protections. Through their involvement, these organizations provide valuable insights, resources, and advocacy efforts, contributing to a more thorough examination of human rights situations and a robust framework for governments to address them. Since 2011, FMSI has held special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
This status allows FMSI to participate actively in UN conferences, meetings, and working groups focused on child rights. Leveraging the expertise of the international Marist network, FMSI plays a crucial role in shaping global standards and international agreements related to the human rights of children and young people. 

FMSI, together with the Secretariat, is the entity responsible for the Institute's work with the United Nations.

La visita a Ginebra destacó los logros significativos del Instituto en el ámbito de la defensa de los derechos del niño.
En los últimos 13 años se han presentado más de 70 EPU, defendiendo y protegiendo los derechos de los niños en 43 países.
The visit to Geneva highlighted the Institute's significant achievements in the realm of child rights advocacy.

Over the past 13 years more than 70 UPRs have been submitted, advocating for and protecting the rights of children in 43 countries.
This extensive involvement in the UPR process demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the promotion and defense of child rights. The participation of schools, children and civil society in the UPR process plays a pivotal role in strengthening the accountability of governments and advancing the protection of human rights.

Civil society organizations, with their diverse expertise and grassroots connections, act as supervisors, advocates, and conduits for the voices of marginalized and vulnerable populations. They provide critical information, analysis, and recommendations to the UPR, helping to shed light on human rights violations and challenges while promoting transparency and collaboration between states, civil society, and other stakeholders.
Central to the Marist Brothers' and FMSI's approach is the active participation of children and young people in their advocacy efforts.

By involving children directly, they ensure that the voices and perspectives of the youth are represented in discussions about their own rights and futures. This approach not only empowers children but also enriches the advocacy process with genuine insights and experiences, making the outcomes more relevant and impactful.