Unicef's South Asia Regional Director Sadig Rasheed praised the government for its support for the development efforts concerning children and urged for creating space for adolescents in the planning process.

He said this at the Mid-Term Review Meeting of the JointGovernment Unicef Advisory Group at NEC Auditorium in the Planning Commission yesterday.

Chaired by Dr.Shah Mohammad Farid, member, Planning Commission, the meeting was also addressed by Unicef Representative in Bangladesh Morten Giersing and Joint Secretary of Economic Relations Division CQK Mustaq Ahmed.

A group of seven adolescents presented their views in the meeting. Senior government and Unicef officials, including representatives from international donor agencies and NGOs also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the participants from UNICEF and the government said the programmes of cooperation for the children and women in the country has made a significant progress during 20012003, despite constraints and challenges.

Dr. Farid reiterated the government's support to Unicef assisted programmes and said child's issues have the highest commitment from the government. He cited examples achieved in gender parity in primary education adding that the government has given highest priority to girls' education.

Morten Giersing urged the government to work more closely with adolescent groups for sustainable and relevant results of development efforts. He also emphasised effective collaboration with all partner agencies.

Child journalists Karishma Kamal and Sajjad Hossain presented their views on issues like child labour, birth registration, girls' education, early marriages and situation of children in jail.

The members of adolescent group raised a number of critical questions. Dr Farid congratulated the group for raising pertinent questions and said the government was keen to promote participation of children at all levels.

The MTR exercise provided inputs to adjust future measures based on the lessons learnt for enhancing effective implementation of activities.