As signatories to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, we have committed ourselves to respect children as holders of rights and to ensure that they are facilitated to realise their rights within the overarching principle, of the best interests of children. While concerned adults are often oriented towards providing children protection and services to them, most fail to recognise the fact that the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) guarantees children the right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them, and to exercise freedom of expression in order to engage with decisions related to their own lives in a proactive manner. This means that not only do children have a right to protection and provision, but most importantly, they have a right to determine the quality and nature of the services and protection made available to them. However, in practice, children are frequently denied the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes and activities that effect their lives and futures – this violation is most starkly evident where the concerned children are the most marginalised and are doubly victimised by adult determined interventions that often exacerbate their hardships, instead of ameliorating them. Children and adolescents are critical observers of their own condition and should be participants in decisions concerning themselves and their lives. These young people need to participate in finding solutions to the problems they face. They need to relate to society in an organised way, and yet feel the protection and security needed by children. They should be encouraged to reason independently and have the courage to dissent. They should be provided with the basic information and the opportunities to make informed choices about their own lives and impact on those who are in decision-making positions. Adults have an important role in supporting the protagonism of children as they have the political, economic and social control. For adults to accept the children's agenda implies acknowledging and respecting children are protagonists of their own lives, legitimate actors actively participating in society. This view directly challenges the prevalent patriarchal image of children as "projects" to be acted upon. For children to realise their full potential as rights holders and for adults to fulfil their facilitative roles, there is an urgent need for building the capacities of both the parties. This consultation is one step in that direction.  The Programme: ‘Children Speak’ has four main objectives: The key outcomes of this process are:  The participants: Members of the communities: NGO representatives: Policy makers: Time and Venue: This consultation is jointly organised by: Supported by:   Â
Children:
There will be 200 child participants from two specific backgrounds. One group of children who have been affected by the Tsunami and the second child workers – some of whom are former child labourers, some presently labouring and others who are combining work and schooling.
There will be 50 adults from the child participant’s communities. They include parents of children, members of the women’s Sanghas and other local organisations.
25 NGO representatives who work in the areas where the children come from.
Representatives of State, National and International agencies and organisations who are engaged with issues related to child labour, children’s rights, and disaster management.
All these participants will be facilitated by a team of resource persons and supported by translators during the entire programme.
This workshop will be held between 15th and 18th May 2007 at Ecumenical Christian Centre, Whitefield, Bangalore. The workshop is planned for four days and the programme includes an inaugural session on 15th morning and a closing ceremony on 17th evening. A press conference in which the participants will interact with media and a sight seeing trip will be organised on May 18th.
Building a Participative Present for the Child from the Child's' Perspective
Provide a safe, comfortable and creative space for children from very vulnerable backgrounds – such as child labourers and children affected by Tsunami to share with each other, their key concerns and jointly articulate their suggestions to address the problems they face.
To empower and enable these children to interface with State, National and International policy makers so they may impact on law and policies related to their situations.
To provide an opportunity for the adult representatives of the children’s communities to gain an understanding of and recognise the importance of children’s participation and identify the role they need to play in order to enable children’s participation
To enable NGO representatives working with children to gain a deeper understanding of children’s participation and gain deeper clarity of their role as development activists to empower children and to work with community members to enable an environment where children’s participation is nurtured and respected.
Policy recommendations regarding child labour and disaster management (with emphasis on Tsunami rehabilitation work) from the perspective of children.
A better understanding of participatory rights of children from the point of view of children by community members, NGOs, policy makers and children themselves.
A recognition of the challenges to children’s participation, especially in the areas where the child participants come from
A framework for future action by children, their community members and NGO representatives in order to further strengthen children’s participation in their areas.
Enhanced knowledge of tools and methods by children, community members and NGOs to make children’s participation a reality.
A model for policy makers to carry out consultations with children on issues that affect them.
SAFE – CR (Southern Alliance for Ensuring Child Rights) a network of children’s rights activists, NGOs and CBOs.
The Concerned for Working Children (CWC)
Society for Peoples’ Education and Economic Change (SPEECH)
Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC)
Resource Centre for Participatory Development Studies (RCPDS)
Organisation:
Link :
http://www.crin.org/docs/Briefing%20pack%20for%20children.doc
Countries
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