Children and young people: Problems and solutions!

Most of the studies in Lebanon show lack of information about mortality and vulnerability during childhood, and the relevant conditions and burden (Gerbaka, 2003 ; Status of lebanese children : 2004 national report).
In these fields, Beirut has achieved considerable reduction in infant and child mortality and has dozens of realizations towards the improvement of children condition (Ajouz-Sidani, Gerbaka, Kheir-El-Kadi, 2004).
There is, however, scarce reliable information and poor qualitative knowledge on different child related issues, such as development and protection, database and analysis, institutions and education, situations at risk and disadvantaged children, informal and governmental interaction.

These findings call for an independent, competent and participatory structure to collect, disaggregate and analyze relevant child related information, to allow stakeholders, professionals in child related sectors, child and youth associations and dedicated NGO's to build child protection initiatives and programs based on reliable information.