Calls for action on Australia’s ‘blind spots’ on UN Rights of the Child

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Human rights leaders, youth ambassadors and academics are calling for action today to improve child rights, marking 30 years since the since the formation of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Co-hosted with Melbourne University, the anniversary event CRC30 brings together representatives from the Australian Child Rights Taskforce and the Australian Human Rights Commission to explore four areas of concern – ‘blind spots’ – identified from the UN Committee in September:

Climate change and sustainable environments
Youth, age and citizenship
Creating environments that support mental health and resilience
Indigenous children’s cultural rights.

Australia's National Children's Commissioner Megan Mitchell will release the ‘Children’s Rights in Australia: A Scorecard’. This will be launched by Member of the United Nations CRC Committee (Geneva) Mikiko Otani.

World Vision CEO, Claire Rogers said that in the past three decades, the CRC has played a huge part in transforming millions of young lives around the world

"Children today are, on average, healthier, safer, better nourished and educated than they were 30 years ago."

"Yet for every statistic that ignites hope and celebration, countless others douse it and confirm that the goal of universal wellbeing for children is a long way off."

Congress convenor Dr Ani Wierenga from the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and Centre for Adolescent Health said: “This anniversary is critical in highlighting Australia’s recent poor performance despite being a signatory to the UN Convention 30 years ago, announced by the UN Committee in September.

“We are calling for action on the critical areas in which the UN has highlighted Australia’s poor performance.”

Dr Wierenga said Australians should have expectations about meeting international commitments.

“Child rights are at the core of ensuring that no child is left behind in the progress towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” Dr Wierenga said.

“This includes Australian children and young people, as well as the millions of children and young people around the world.”

The program also includes:

Welcome by Claire Rogers (CEO World Vision Australia)
Professor Lisa Gibbs (UoM) on programs that promote youth mental health and resilience.
Professor Susan Sawyer (UoM) on how Australian legal frameworks are inconsistent with children’s and adolescents’ rights.
Mikiko Otani, (UN CRC Committee Geneva) on the process leading to the UN’s recent recommendations for Australia
A panel discussion with members of the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network of Australia (MYAN) World Vision youth and UN Youth Ambassadors.
Sherice Jackson (AIME co-CEO) on a children’s response to the Uluru Statement

The congress will close with a call to action and recommendations for Australia and the region.

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