CHAPTER THREE MANDATE AND PROCEDURE OF THE COMMITTEE Article 42 MANDATE The functions of the Committee shall be: (a) To promote and protect the rights enshrined in this Charter and in particular to: i. collect and document information, commission interdisciplinary assessment of situations on African problems in the fields of the rights and welfare of the child, organize meetings, encourage national and local institutions concerned with the rights and welfare of the child, and where necessary give its views and take recommendations to Governments; ii. formulate and lay down principles and rules aimed at protecting the rights and welfare of children in Africa; iii. cooperate with other African, International and Regional Institutions and Organizations concerned with the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of the child. (b) To monitor the implementation and ensure protection of the rights enshrined in this Charter. (c) To interpret the provisions of the present Charter at the request of a State Party, an Institution of the Organization of African unity or any other person or Institution recognized by the Organization of African Unity,· or any State Party. (d) Perform such other tasks as may be entrusted to it by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, SecretaryGeneral of the OAU and any other organs of the OAU, or the United Nations. Article 43 REPORTING PROCEDURE 1. Every State Party to the present Charter shall undertake to submit to the Committee through the Secretary-General of the Organization AFRICAN CHARTER on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 27