CHAMPIONING
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
A Global Study of Independent
Human Rights Institutions for
Children
Vanessa Sedletzki
International Consultant - Human Rights, Governance, Policy
RIGHTS ON – Supporting organizations’ needs for evidence-based advocacy
Today’s presentation

Ethos of the study

Facts from the world

Making a difference for children

Way ahead
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Ethos of the study
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One central question
In a political system made by and for
adults
What makes an institution fit for
children?
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Independent human rights institutions
for children
Scope of the study: international standards
 Institutions that are

 Public
 Independent
in principle
 Specific focus on children’s rights

Vanessa Sedletzki
No classification of individual institutions
according to network criteria
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What the book talks about…




World-wide expansion
Common features: independence, CRC
approaches, direct engagement with children,
international engagement
Common difficulties: status of children, mandate,
resources, implementation of recommendations
Different contexts
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Contents

Key cross-cutting themes analysis

Practical questions

Regional overviews

Recommendations
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What it can do for you
Provide evidence for advocacy
 Help find answers to your questions or
think through issues
 See how it happens elsewhere
 Help you explain your role
 Help others understand it
 Relevance for other child rights issues

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Facts from the world
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Where are they?
1996
Note: This map is stylized and not to scale. It does not reflect a position by UNICEF
on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.
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Where are they?
2012
Note: This map is stylized and not to scale. It does not reflect a position by UNICEF
on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.
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Regional overviews
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Development across regions
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Snapshot by region

Sub-Saharan Africa
 Operating
in weak governance contexts
 Yet making progress in several countries

Asia and the Pacific
 Very
diverse
 Strong in South Asia and tackling difficult issues
 Issues with independence and visibility of CR
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Snapshot by region

Europe
 Compliance
with international standards
 Innovative child participation but accessibility issue
 Facing threats

Latin America and the Caribbean
 Strong
status, linked to democratization
 Local presence
 Regional network in progress
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Snapshot by region

Middle-East and North Africa
 None
but broader NHRIs
 Opportunities with transitions?

Australia, Canada, New-Zealand, USA
 Sub-national
level
 Strong child protection approach
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Making a difference for children
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Core achievements

Making children visible in policy making
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Focus on environments

Equitable approaches

Child participation

Individual or specific situations
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Influencing factors
Legal
mandate
Competencies
Own drive
Proactiveness
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Effectiveness
Environment
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Way ahead
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Recommendations to independent
institutions
Increase awareness among children
Nurture partnerships with wide range of actors
Disaggregate complaint data
Ensure attention to child rights within broad-based
institution
Foster coordination with other independent
institutions nationally
Promote implementation of recommendations
Have clear strategic plan and communicate on
results
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To find the policy summary…
http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/669
English
Russian
Arabe
Espanol
Français
Italiano
Book coming out in the fall in English
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THANK YOU!
Vanessa.sedletzki@gmail.com
RIGHTS ON – Supporting organizations’ needs for evidence-based advocacy