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xWorld Children’s Day 2023: what you may have missed
Date: 18th December 2023
Category:
General measures of implementation
To mark World Children's Day 2023, Together released new research on the participation of children and young people in processes to monitor UNCRC implementation at local, national and international level. There was also an update from the Minister for Children and Young People as she released a conversation with young people about her next steps for incorporation.
In the spirit of celebrating World Children’s Day, Together released Isobel Mintz’s dissertation. Isobel was a candidate on the LLM Human Rights programme at Edinburgh University. She joined Together in summer 2023 to complete a work-based placement researching the extent to which children have been involved in processes that the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child uses to check up on how well children’s rights are being upheld in a particular country.
As Scotland moves to incorporate the UNCRC into law, Isobel’s research highlights the need for genuine engagement with children and young people in legal, policy and practical implementations. The report calls for the Scottish Government to ensure that children’s best interests and their personal growth is the focus of any participation mechanism.
Young people from the Scottish Youth Parliament asked Ms Don, the Minister for Children and Young People and Keeping the Promise questions about the work to embed children’s rights into Scots law. She addressed questions on the progress of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill and how this will change the everyday lives of children and young people in Scotland.
While there were many things to celebrate within Scotland on World’s Children’s Day, we must also recognise the sombre mood. We closed the day by reflecting on the terrible situation facing children in Gaza, with over 4600 children killed in 5 weeks – now far higher. Together supports the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child calls for a cease fire and a return to basics of humanitarian law to safeguard all children.