Rights Now - young people getting a better deal?

Becky Sharp — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:37:20 +0100

Right now the UK Government is reporting to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on its progress for children and young people's rights. Children and young people have basic rights that are protected by most of the governments across the world so that children and young people living in that country can get a better deal.

At the Youth Summit we have been asking people:

"If you were on the committee on the rights of the child and had the power to tell the government off, what would be your top issues?"

These were some of the answers:

Widening of equalities gaps – child poverty a huge issue

Educational under achievement for bottom 10%
Treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, especially unaccompanied minors
Children in care generally fail
Anti-social behaviour – unreasonably labelled children as criminals
The fact that we lock up more young people than anyone else

Too many young people in the poverty trap
Young people’s voice still not heard and a lot of tokenism – don’t always act on the advice and the recommendations they make
Don’t take young people seriously enough

Movement down of salary differences: successfully lower than 10 years ago
Not enough facilities
Public transport
Tuition fees
Sexual health services
Informal facilities for young people
The way we deal with young people who are in trouble with the police

What do you think? Let us know...

Look for more information on the files attached or follow the link to getreadyforgeneva.org.uk

Expectations of the day

Becky Sharp — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:36:37 +0100

The first questions of the day! The reporters have been out asking young people who are involved in the conference and delegates who are arriving what their expectations of the conference are and what they are hoping to achieve.

What are your expectations of today? What are you hoping to achieve?

10am Monday

Young People:

I expect a high standard. I want to let adults know about how we do things differently to other people.
I’m looking forward to seeing other people’s presentations.
I want to use this opportunity to reach the right people to improve facilities to children and young people and to get better opportunities

Others:

I’m hoping to get an insight as to where the 10 year strategy might take us.
To get an insight into how the current political changes may affect youth work and the roots into policy agendas for young people.
To see what NYA’s done and achieved and how they’re going to build on this for the future.
Find out how talk’s going to change into actual action.
I want to see vigorous debate across a range of issues and the structures affecting children and young people.
On a wider scale to find out what’s happening for children and young people on a policy and participation level and to know what support services are out there for young volunteers.
I want to learn a lot from young people – it’s very important to listen to learn about what they need.
I want a genuine dialogue between young people and service providers on policy for young people.

Becky Sharp's blog

Rights Now - young people getting a better deal?

Expectations of the day