Universal Children’s Day gives us a chance to reflect on our promises, says Jackie Brock
Twenty six years ago, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was established, with its signatories making a commitment to protect and promote the rights of children and young people and support them to meet their full potential.
Today, on United Nations Universal Children’s Day, we should of course celebrate the achievements made to date, but also take the chance to reflect on where progress on child rights still needs to be made.
In Scotland there has been tangible progress in realising rights through policy and legislation, including the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act and Getting it Right for Every Child. Despite this, vulnerable young people continue to face multiple barriers to enjoying their rights.
Attempts to reduce inequality have been undermined by the austerity policies, including proposed cuts to welfare benefits, imposed by the UK government
Attempts to reduce inequality have been undermined by the austerity policies, including proposed cuts to welfare benefits, imposed by the UK government. These have resulted in increased levels of homelessness and a rise in the use of food banks, as low income families struggle to afford day to day life.
It is worth remembering too, that the UNCRC has never been fully enshrined in Scots law, which undoubtedly raises questions over our own country’s commitment to protecting and promoting children’s rights.
There was a signal of progress this week, however, as MSPs debated in parliament the importance of recognising and respecting the rights of children and young people, along with the need to promote Scotland’s international obligations to ensure all children enjoy their childhood with freedom and dignity.
This week also saw the launch of a new Child Rights Manifesto, by a coalition headed by the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group for Children and Young People. The manifesto is a short, values-based document that reflects the voices of over 3,500 children and young people in Scotland. It outlines the ways in which children and young people expect decision-makers to act, in order for them to enjoy their rights as set out in the UNCRC).
Designed to be a living document, manifesto signatories pledge their support. Those who want to be a #ChildRightsChamp can help ensure that the rights of children are central to discussions in the run-up to the 2016 elections. Signing up means helping to accelerate the culture change needed to ensure full implementation of the UNCRC across all areas of policy, legislation and, crucially, in practice.
Children in Scotland welcomes this positive action and we urge politicians from all parties to support this public declaration of respect for our young people’s rights. We have already received support from all the main political parties: SNP, Labour, Lib Dems, Greens and the Tories.
As next year’s Scottish Parliament elections loom large on the horizon, this public discussion on such fundamental values is essential to ensure that our next government makes its decisions with children’s rights in mind.
The promises made in the UNCRC a generation ago are every bit as relevant today. We must uphold its principles to ensure that our youngest citizens are truly valued.
Jackie Brock is chief executive of Children in Scotland.
