International Catholic Child Bureau (BICE)

BICE (Bureau International Catholique de l?Enfance) is a network of organizations committed to the defense of children?s dignity and higher interests. Founded in 1948, it promotes childrens rights in more than 30 countries in 4 continents and implements projects to protect children who are exploited sexually, or by work, children in the street, in prison or affected by war, as well as disabled children.

BICE has consultative status at UNICEF, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and participatory status to the Council of Europe.

The Marist Brothers are networking with BICE to lobby for the rights of the children through FMSI Onlus, which has been a full member of the Bureau since 2008.

In 1979 BICE was one of the promoters of the International Year of the Child. During the 80?s it played a very meaningful role in the Convention on the Rights of the Child drafting process. Afterwards, BICE followed up on its implementation to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva through its permanent representation.

In Geneva, on 4th June 2009, BICE will launch the World Appeal to a New Mobilization for Childhood, in order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The signature Appeal is widely open to NGOs, educational institutions, youth organizations, social institutions, moral and religious organizations and leaders, committed personalities, the larger public?

To know more about the Appeal and to download the related documents, please visit BICE?s website.

Documents
>> World Appeal to a new mobilization for childhood
>> french version
>> spanish version
>> Reference Document