Council of Europe objectives and plans on child and youth participation Stockholm strategy and roadmap Carolyne Willow.

Council of Europe objectives and plans on child and

youth participation

Stockholm strategy and roadmap

Carolyne Willow

“The Stockholm Strategy is a strategic instrument for a more child-friendly Europe. By making a concentrated European effort, I am convinced that we can create a better, friendlier and safer Europe for all our children.” Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

“Creating and supporting secure conditions for children to grow up in is one of the most important things a politician can do … Children's conditions and rights are one of the major issues for the future of Europe.”

Göran Hägglund, Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Sweden

Since the adoption of the Convention in 1989, considerable progress has been achieved at the local, national, regional and global levels in the development of legislation, policies and methodologies to promote the implementation of article 12… However, the Committee notes that, in most societies around the world, implementation of the child’s right to express her or his view on the wide range of issues that affect her or him, and to have those views duly taken into account, continues to be impeded by many long-standing practices and attitudes, as well as political and economic barriers…The Committee also remains concerned about the quality of many of the practices that do exist. There is a need for a better understanding of what article 12 entails and how to fully implement it for every child.

Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee of UN General Assembly (“Third Committee”)

Children’s rights resolution, adopted unanimously 20 November 2009

Promotion and protection of the rights of children … encourages States to ensure the institutionalization of children’s participation and encourage the active consultation of children and the consideration of their views in all matters affecting them, in accordance with their age and maturity and evolving capacities.

Address all the root causes impeding children from exercising their right to be heard and to be consulted on matters affecting them.

Stockholm strategy

Adopted November 2008

• Implementation of international standards

• Mainstreaming of children’s rights

The aim is to ensure to all children an adequate standard of

living, social protection, the highest attainable standard of

health, education, protection from maltreatment, abuse and

exploitation as well as the right to be heard and to be

involved in decision-making.

Stockholm strategy

5 strategic objectives

1. Mainstreaming and co-ordination

2. Promotion of children’s access to justice

3. Eradication of all forms of violence against children

4. Participation of children and their influence in society

5. Special focus on particularly vulnerable children

Stockholm strategy

Objective 4: Participation of children and their influence in society

a. Children’s access to information and human rights education

b. Co-operation between children’s rights programme and youth

sector

c. Awareness raising and information exchange (public decision-

making; decision-making affecting individual children; positive

parenting and family policies)

d. Possibly updating Council of Ministers recommendations

e. Policy reviews in volunteer countries

Roadmap 2009-11

1. Policy

2. Good practice

3. Education, training and child-friendly information

4. E-participation forum

Roadmap 2009-11: PolicySnapshot from roundtable questionnaire

• Embedded in constitution • Embedded in civil codes• Prioritised in national overarching policy relating to children

and young people • Designated civil servants (national government)• Required through sectoral laws• Required through national standards• Central to work of Ombudsperson for Children • Political engagement with and funding for child and young

people-led organisations, including Children’s Parliaments• Democratic structures and decision-making within schools • Included in statutory inspections

Roadmap 2009-11:Good practice

European Drug Prevention Prize

Roadmap 2009-11:Good practice

1. What is good practice in children’s participation? Do children and young people and adults have similar aspirations?

2. What good practice inspired you most recently; what impact did it have on your decision-making or other actions?

3. Which aspects of good practice in other countries do you want to hear about? How do you want to hear about it?

4. Who or what already collects and disseminates examples of good practice in your country? How are children and young people engaged in this?

Roadmap 2009-11:Education, training and child friendlyinformation

SOS Children’s Villages International

Roadmap 2009-11:Education, training and child friendlyInformation

1. Information and materials that exist already in your country - who produced them; how were children and young people engaged; are they included in the school curriculum; what impact have they had?

2. Starting afresh, what are the most important messages to communicate to children and young people?

3. How has your country engaged the media (including children’s media) in human rights awareness raising?

4. Who else is - or should be engaged - in this work, for example Ombudspeople and Children’s Commissioners, children’s authors, celebrities, the business sector?

Roadmap 2009-11:E-participation forum

European Network of National Observatories on Childhood

Roadmap 2009-11:E-participation forum

1. What other e-participation forums exist - international, regional, national or local

2. Watch out for: lessons from other networks and / or reservations3. Initial thoughts on membership and terms of reference

Respect for children’s rights cannot beperceived as an option, as a question offavour or kindness to children, or as anexpression of charity. Children’s rights

generate obligations and responsibilities thatmust be honoured. They need to be

perceived as an expression of solidarity andpartnership,empowering children to

participate actively in the improvement oftheir situation and in the broader process of

social change.

Marta Santos Pais, 1999 (appointed Special Representative on Violence Against Children in May 2009)

Instead of talking about what you are going to do,

DO IT!

Young person, taken from Northern Ireland consultation on the implementation of the

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (2007)