In association:
UNITED NATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS
Office of the High Comissioner
Expert Consultation
Irene Rizzini
The International Center for Research and Policy on Childhood/PUC-Rio
Childwatch International Research Network
1 - 2 November 2011, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2
FOCUS
Children and youth
• who have the street as a central reference point
• mostly in their family/community contexts but
very vulnerable
2
Life on the streets: the heart of the matter
1. The problem persists as a major challenge
2. Inadequate responses persist
3. Opportunities: timing is right (for change)
4. Strategies for change: effective responses
2
1. The problem persists as a major challenge
-
Understanding the roots of the problem
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Brazil rich and poor; generations of families
barely thriving…
-
Some
indicators:
poverty,
violence,
education and slum living conditions
poor
2
Rio de Janeiro
2010 census of children in street situations
45% (12-15); 29% (16-17); 23% (6-11)
57% lived with parents, relatives or friends (4% streets)
24% of the 16,17 year olds completed elementary school
2009 household survey children 0 to 6
46% born into families under poverty line
2
2. Inadequate responses persist
-
Children seem and treated as threats
-
Violent practices
-
Negative lens of the media
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Focus on children and youth when at high risk
2
Missão
Missão
3. Opportunities: timing is right (for change)
-
Children’s rights in Brazil: laws and policies
-
The Councils’ work on policies
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Key actors in action: government and NGOs
-
Successful use of expertise from University
2
Successful experience working with national and
local key actors
- Federally mandated Children’s Rights Councils. Rio
Council: success in producing the first policy
- Process of constructing policies on street children
in dialogue with key actors in 8 states. Follow up of
policies adopted in 3 municipalities: RJ, SL, RE)
- Building political support engaging several allies
(mandate – responsibility and power to change)
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Successful experience working with national and
local key actors
- Identify and engage advocacy groups, workers;
youth with street life experience, others
-Establishing an agenda with priorities
- Set up of an implementation oversight committee
- Linking policies to public budgets
- Strategies to face challenges policy implementation
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4. Strategies for change: effective responses
• Identify the roots of the problem (broader picture)
• Responses beyond violation of rights  promotion
of rights  link to other issues such as family
planning and support; mental health issues...
• Target as priorities: children on the streets but
also those still in family settings though vulnerable
(family and community ties)
2
CHANGE OF LENS
PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE
FROM “STREET CHILDREN” VIEWED AS A THREAT
TO CHILDREN AS GIFTS
WITH HOPE IN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE
2
Quando há oportunidades...
CIESPI
Compromisso com as infâncias do mundo
Committed to children throughout the world
Comprometidos con las infancias del mundo
www.ciespi.org.br