What’s all this about Children’s Rights?
You, or people you work with, could be asking:

‘Why should I/we involve children and young people in decisions made about the community?’

Well, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has one of the answers! Read on to find out more.

 
The UNCRC: what’s it all about?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (‘UNCRC’) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20th November 1989 and has been signed up to by 191 countries (only two countries have not yet signed up, they are the USA and Somalia).

The UNCRC is a collection of articles which combined together relate to the protection and welfare of all children, including rights to health, education protection, basic standards of welfare. The UNCRC covers ALL children and young people up to the age of 18. It has 54 articles, 42 of which detail the rights of children. Articles 43 to 54 deal with ratification (signing up), reporting and implementation.

The UK Government signed up to the UNCRC on 16th December 1991. This means the government has committed to full implementation of the UNCRC in the UK. Since then, the Welsh Assembly Government and some Local Authorities local authorities have also signed up to commit to implementation of the UNCRC.

All countries that have signed up to the convention are accountable to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Every five years the government has to report to this committee and provide evidence on how they are working towards full implementation of the UNCRC. The UNCRC is not a legally enforceable convention, it is a framework which addresses children’s needs around the world and enables people to understand children’s rights and adult’s responsibilities towards children. The UNCRC is the most widely ratified (signed up to) convention in the world. For more information about Save the Children’s work on this in Wales click www.savethechildren.org.uk
 
The UNCRC and Participation
So, what does the convention say about children and young people’s participation?

Article 12 says that: 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 means that children and young people in your community have the RIGHT to be fully involved in decisions made about the community. They have the right to give their opinion and for that opinion to be listened to and taken into account. To find out more information about how to involve children and young people go to the HOW? section.

 
The UNCRC and Community Regeneration: how it can help you!
As a community worker, there are a number of other articles in the convention which will be helpful to know about. You can use the convention and the articles within it as a tool to assist your community development and regeneration work. It can be used to persuade others of actions which need to be taken. For example, if your community (including children and young people) felt there was a need for improved playground facilities you could use article 31 to persuade people who might feel it is not a priority by explaining the right to play is enshrined in the UNCRC. You could also use the convention to back up any applications you make to the local council or funders.

Here are some of the articles which you might find useful to know about (a full child friendly list of articles can be obtained by clicking here):
 
Article 1:
Everyone under 18 years of age has all the rights in this convention
Article 2:

The convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from.

Article 3:
All organisations concerned with children should work towards what is best for each child
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.
Article 13:

Children have the right to get and to share information as long as the information is not damaging to them or to others.

Article 15:
Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.
Article 19:
Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents or anyone else who looks after them.
Article 22:
Children who come into a country as refugees should have the same rights as children born in that country.

Article 23:

Children who have any kind of disability should have special care and support so that they can lead full and independent lives.

Article 24:
Children have the right to good quality health care and to clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment so that they will stay healthy.
Article 26:
The Government should provide extra money for children of families in need.
Article 28:

Children have a right to education.

Article 29:

Education should develop each child’s personality and talents to the full. It should encourage children to respect their parents, and their own and other cultures.

Article 31:

All children gave a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities.

Article 33:
The Government should provide ways of protecting children from dangerous drugs.
Article 42:

The Government should make the Convention known to all parents and children.