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Summary: A discussion paper on the concept of the best interests of the child in a Nordic perspective
The Children’s Ombudsmen of Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and Börnerådet in Denmark, share the common aim of influencing and supporting implementation of the Convention in our several countries and in this way improving the formative conditions of children and young persons in the Nordic area. We attach importance to the task of articulating responsibility which the Convention places on everyone - both politicians and public servants as well as various professional categories - who in any way is responsible for the well-being of children and young persons.
“The best interests of the child in our time” is a discussion paper on the concept of the best interests of the child in a Nordic perspective which has been compiled jointly by the Nordic Children’s Ombudsmen. It takes as its starting point the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and especially Article 3, which lays down that children’s best interests shall be a primary consideration in all decisions affecting them. The expression “best interests of the child” is a manifold and elusive concept. We hope that this discussion paper can help to deepen and broaden perspectives on ways in which the concept can be understood and interpreted.