This Background Note examines why children figure so little in poverty planning, and in the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) agenda. ODI has been working with UNICEF to move the debate beyond separate discussions on child rights and child poverty. This thinking is presented here, along with discussions on how the combination of inadequate participatory engagements, insufficient understanding of child rights and weak implementation mechanisms, including for child rights commitments, impact on the visibility of child rights in PRSs and National Development Plans (NDPs).

The Background Note includes recommendations for the better integration of child rights and a conceptual framework used by ODI to develop tools and guidance for those who are involved in the PRS/NDP process and who wish to improve the visibility and realisation of child rights.