Head Of IRC Children's Programs Addresses UN Summit

	Marie de la Soudiere meets with an unaccompanied youth at the IRC transit center in Conakry, Guinea

Marie de La Soudière, who oversees the IRC’s programs for war-affected children, is scheduled to address two panels at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children. 

The summit takes place at the UN in New York from May 8 to May 10.  Its 3,000 official delegates will represent more than 180 countries and will include heads of state, government officials, representatives of humanitarian organizations and children’s rights advocates.  Some 200 children will serve as delegates. 

The forum is expected to produce a global agenda—a set of goals and a plan of action devoted to ensuring three essential outcomes: a chance for a healthy life for children, good quality basic education and opportunities for meaningful participation in their communities. 

De la Soudière is scheduled to speak on a panel May 8 on education in refugee emergencies.

On May 9 she is to join Rudd Lubbers, head of UNHCR, for a panel discussion on the plight of uprooted children exposed to violence.

For more information on the summit, click here.