A Rights Based Approach to Youth Information Rights • What are human rights? • Why children’s rights? The UNCRC • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child • Adopted by the UN in 1989 • Adopted by all except 2 countries in UN • Contains 54 Articles “The UNCRC intends to ensure that children and young people grow up in a safe, healthy world where they can participate freely and realise their potential” UNICEF Youth Information • Directly linking Articles to Information and Advice • How do we support children and young people to access entitlements? Article 13 • Children have the right to get and share information as long as the information is not damaging to them or to others Article 12 • Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account. – This is a gateway right, without which it would be more difficult to access their other rights – Article 12 incorporates the principles and practice of participation The UNCRC in Wales • 2001 - Introduction of first Children’s Commissioner in UK • 2002 – Extending Entitlement • 2004 (Children Act) – Welsh Government adopted UNCRC as a basis for all policy for children • Seven Core Aims – based on UNCRC • 2011 - Children’s Rights Measure (Ministers must pay due regard to UNCRC in all decisions) The UNCRC • Rights into Action Implementing the right to Education • Government – obligation to define policy, find and allocate resources, ensure progress against targets is achieved. • Institutions – obligation to train staff, organise resources, create child friendly environment. • Educators – obligation to teach well, encourage children to learn and access their rights. Rights into law – sexual health • Young people have the right to access a full range of contraceptive services. • Fraser Guidelines apply in cases where the young people are under 16 • Sexual and reproductive health services for young people must be: – confidential – accessible – free from judgement – offer a complete range of services Adopting a rights-based approach to youth work • The UNCRC is relevant to our youth work practice • Access to information and advice underpins all four pillars of the youth work curriculum statement for Wales Adopting a rights-based approach to youth work (cont’d) • Article 15 – the right to meet with other children and join and form associations • Article 29 – the right to an education which prepares her/him for an active, responsible life as an adult in a free society which respects others and the environment • Article 31 - the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and to participate in educational, cultural and artistic activities. • Article 34 - the right to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. Rights-based activities for youth workers • Make sure young people are aware of their rights and how to access them (Article 42) • Young people have a say in all decisions affecting them (Article 12) – encourage young people to become part of a forum • Agored Cymru Level 1 Children’s Rights & Citizenship Moving forward • What are the problems associated with effective access to information and advice? • How do we put young people at the heart of defining what information and advice they require? • What formats are relevant to young people today? Moving forward • Does anything change for young people? • How do we know change is happening? • How do we engage young people in driving that change? • Is it any easier to access services, or to get the right support to access them? Moving forward • What are the impacts and outcomes for young people? • You may not see the fruits of youth information work immediately. • Importance of the integrity of this work and to ensure that both they and you are satisfied with the outcomes of the process to date. Moving forward • What is understood by young people’s involvement in development of information and advice services? Messages from young people • “Don’t just listen – do something!” Want to know more? Here are some websites worth visiting UNCRC Lets Get It Right www.uncrcletsgetitright.co.uk CLIC www.cliconline.co.uk Children’s Commissioner www.childcomwales.org.uk