2040 as the EAC processes are binding so can use this as an opportunity to ensure implementation. c. A suggestion was made about ensuring children are involved in monitoring the implementation of the policy and the Agenda and that the indicators need to be framed in a way to ensure that there is wide consultation amongst the different groups of children such as street connected children, children engaged in commercial sex work etc. so that we are also measuring how we are progressing in fulfilling their rights. The EAC agreed that there is a need to improve our involvement of children in monitoring and encourage more meaningful child participation. It was recommended that children should be involved in meetings/conferences and workshops going forward. Participants felt there is a need to establish a specialized committee on technical issues and also organize a children’s summit annually to ensure their voices are heard. There are other platforms where we can share best practices but we need to make sure the lessons learnt are documented so that they can be used for advocacy and factored in to programming. d. Another recommendation was to share the EAC Child Policy with SADC as they are in the process of developing a child rights protocol. This way they can ensure they don’t contradict the EAC policy and can minimize the effort in developing a whole new policy. e. A participant asked about the progress that has been made on developing a regional legislation for children. This is not something that has begun yet but the EAC felt that it is feasible to develop this. There already is a regional law on customs and currently they are working to pass a regional law on gender. Many people still don’t know much about what the EAC has achieved and entry points and opportunities that the EAC provides. 5.0. Presentations on Cross Border Issues in the EAC and the role of EAC Partner States and CSOs 5.1. Presentation on Cross Border Issues affecting children in EAC (considering the Child Policy) - Morris Tayebwa, EAC Secretariat Mr. Tayebwa informed the meeting that as part of developing the EAC Child Policy, a situation analysis that looked at the cross-border issues in the EAC region was carried out. The analysis identified the following as the most common issues in the EAC: • Child trafficking • Sexual exploitation • Harmful traditional practices – child sacrifices, FGM, child marriage • Statelessness • Use of children in smuggling especially in cross border towns