JOKER
Mainstreaming children’s rights in Flanders
13/04/2015
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
What is JoKER?
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Ex ante impact assessment that must accompany
all legislative proposals on initiative of the Flemish
Government, that have a direct impact on the
interests of persons under the age of 25
Goal: policy makers reflect on how the proposed
regulations will impact on children and young
people
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
13/04/2015
History
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1997: establishment of Child Impact Report (KER)
2005: introduction of RIA: assessment process of
pos/neg effects of policy options (KER is
integrated)
2008: KER was extended to JoKER (Child and Youth
Impact Report)
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All persons under 25 years
Whenever a RIA is undertaken: JoKER has to be
integrated
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
13/04/2015
More details about JoKER
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“every draft decree that is submitted to the Flemish
Parliament is accompanied by a child and youth
impact report, whenever the proposed decision
directly impacts the interest of persons under the
age of 25”
JoKER contains:
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Description of the impact of the proposed decision
Description of the impact without the proposed decision
Alternatives for the proposed decision
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
13/04/2015
Evaluation outcomes
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Lack of transparancy
Scope:
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Quality:
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rights based approach not always very strong
not enough attention to diversity
Process:
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Material: only for a decree at the initiative of the Government
Personal: broad (<25y) vs small (<18y)
often at the end of the regulatory process
Lack of political commitment and support
Support: limited role for focal points
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
13/04/2015
Evaluation reveals tensions
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Mainstreaming vs preserving specificity of JoKER
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Leadership of Flanders vs novelty of JoKER
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Comprehensive impact assessment vs feasible for
civil servants
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
13/04/2015
Thank you!!
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More information?
farah.laporte@kinderrechtencoalitie.be
Kinderrechtencoalitie Vlaanderen
7th Regional Meeting of NGO's, Sofia 28th-30th April 2014
13/04/2015