Governments withtheinformation theyneedtodecide ontheirparticipation. 74.Onedelegation emphasized theimportance ofdrafting afinaldeclaration that wasbrief, strong andeloquent, butclearenough tobeunderstood bychildren. Delegations agreedthattheSummit wasaunique opportunity tooutline theprecise andconcrete stepsthatGovernments andtheinternational community wouldtaketo restore hopetothemillions ofdisinherited children around theworld. (See chap.IV,decisions 1990/13 and1990/14 andannexI,paras. 47-53.) Convention ontheRightsoftheChild 75.Virtually alldelegations expressed satisfaction withtheadoption ofthe Convention, andsome20delegations saidthattheprocess ofratification had already begunintheircountries. ThreeStates hadalready ratified theConvention atthetimeoftheBoardsession, andafourth usedtheoccasion toannounce its accession totheConvention. 76.Manydelegations underscored theimportance theyattached totheConvention as aframework fornational actiontoimprove thesituation ofchildren andtoprotect therightsofchildren. Onedelegation referred totheConvention as"avision, a commitment andatoolforprogress". 77.Manydelegations referred totheWorldSummit forChildren asastrategic opportunity forbringing theConvention intoforce. Onedelegation saidthatthe ideascontained intheConvention hadbeendeveloped overalongperiod ofcareful drafting andcouldenrich thedebates oftheWorldSummit forChildren. National Committees forUNICEF 78.Manydelegations spokeoftheimportant contributions madebyNational Committees intheareasoffund-raising andadvocacy. ItwasnotedthatNational Committees hadcontributed atotalof$138million toUNICEF inthepastyearand hadmadeUNICEF ahousehold nameinthemajordonorcountries asaresult of effective mobilization andpublic information activities. Onedelegation saidthat theExecutive Boardandthesecretariat shouldlistenattentively totheNational Committees sincetheyweretheUNICEF contact withthepublicinthemajordonor countries, hadconsiderable influence withnational policy makers andwereintouch withmanyofthemostinfluential intellectuals andprofessionals onissues relating tochildren. 79.Somedelegations notedwithappreciation thesolidarity amongNational Committees thatresulted fromrecent eventsaffecting children insomecountries of Central andEastern Europe. -18-Non-governmental organizations 80.Several delegations underscored theimportant rolethatNGOsplayin development programmes benefiting children, andUNICEF wasencouraged tomaintain itseffective partnership withthem.Itwasnotedthattheachievements inthe areaofCSDweredueinlargemeasure tothestrongalliances thathavedeveloped between Governments, UNICEF andNGOs. 81.Thesubstantive contribution ofNGOstothetextoftheConvention onthe Rights oftheChildandtheirroleinmobilizing thepolitical willthatledtoits adoption werelauded bymanydelegations. UNICEF wasencouraged tocontinue to workclosely withNGOsinpromoting earlyratification oftheConvention. 82.Theimportant contributions ofNGOstothepreparations forandthe deliberations oftheWorldConference onEducation forAllwerealsonotedby several delegations. TheBoardheard areport onNGOplansforcapitalizing onthe opportunity offered bytheWorldSummit forChildren tourgeGovernments and development agencies toimplement theplanofaction adopted bytheWorld Conference onEducation. Administrative andfinancial matters Staffing 83.Manydelegations commended theUNICEFstaffontheirhardworkandunrelenting commitment tothegoalsoftheorganization. Itwasnotedthatmanystaffmembers worked indifficult ifnotdangerous circumstances, oftenseparated fromtheir families forextended periods. TheExecutive Director wasaskedtoconvey the Board's appreciation toUNICEF personnel. 84.Somedelegations alluded totheimportance ofbalance between staffing inthe fieldandatheadquarters, particularly asthisaffects therelative percentage of fieldtoheadquarters staffpromotions. Concern wasalsoexpressed aboutthe number ofspecial-purpose fundsmanaged byheadquarters, sincethisaffects staffing levels andtheavailability offundsatthecountry level. Onedelegation notedwithregretthattherewasstillnostaffmember fromEastern orCentral
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the proceedings and outcomes of the World Summit for Children, which focuses on the welfare and protection of children worldwide. The topics covered include the Convention on the Rights of the Child, national committees for UNICEF, non-governmental organizations, and administrative and financial matters. The text highlights the importance of these organizations and initiatives in promoting the well-being of children and protecting their rights.

**Category**
Health, Education