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Kia ora
Over 2009 and 2010, Save the Children NZ is doing some research throughout Aotearoa NZ on the Conventions of the Rights of the Child and young people's opinions about how well the NZ Government has followed this.
Visit our website to find out more: www.a12aotearoa.ning.com (you will need to create an account but this is just for your protection; the site is moderated so no one can bully or put down others).
We will be travelling the country, doing digital stories with groups of young people, surveys in some primary schools and an online survey with young people over 16. Most of the groups are with young people that often don't get a voice (refugees, young mums, those that have been in the justice system etc) but we are also doing six with groups of interest).
If you are interested, email Dr Fi at fiona@globaled.org.nz. If you are a young person over 16 and would like to take the survey then
Click Here to take the 2009-2010 UNCRC Survey
Youth Declaration 2009- UNYANZ Auckland
The second Youth Declaration was a success.
The Declaration is available at:
http://www.unyanz.co.nz/Regional/Auckland/YouthDeclaration2009.aspx
Rights of the Child - As seen by the Human Rights Commission
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is expressed in different ways. The Human Rights Commission in 2004 issued “Human Rights in NZ Today Nga Tika Tangata o Te Motu”. Chapter 4 is entitled “The rights of children and young people”. The following quote is from the Introduction: What are children’s rights?
Children and young people (all human beings under the age of 18) have the same basic general human rights as adults. Children also have specific human rights that recognise their special need for protection. Children’s rights fall into three categories:
- Provision rights include the right to an adequate standard of living, free education, adequate health resources, and legal and social services.
- Protection rights include protection from abuse and neglect, bullying and discrimination, and the right to safety within the justice system.
- Participation rights include the right to freedom of expression and the right to participate in public life.
Source: http://www.hrc.co.nz/home/hrc/introduction/newzealandactionplanforhumanrights.php
We examine the Action Plan in our Opinion Section:
Link: http://www.acya.org.nz/?t=45
In 2007 we looked at the Government’s view as expressed in Agenda for Children, issued in 2003.
How the Convention works
The Convention is a document that sets out the Righs of Children (those under the age of 18 years). New Zealand signed the document and has to report to the UN on a regular basis. The Government's last report was dated November 2008 and is known as the 3rd and 4th Periodic Report.
The work of ACYA and other interested people is to make the Convention known, and to make sure the children of New Zealand are cared for.
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