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Assembly's First Birthday Could Include Children's Rights

Friends of the Earth Cymru (FOE Cymru) is calling on the Assembly to begin implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by carrying out 'child impact statements' on all Assembly policy proposals. The campaigners are suggesting the Assembly's first birthday on July 1st as a fitting date to make this step into a more child friendly future.

During the public consultation about the role of a 'children's commissioner' for Wales (1) a majority of people submitting evidence to the Assembly indicated a desire for the implementation of the UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child. FOE Cymru believe that carrying out child impact statements would be a step on the way to implementation of the Convention (2).

A child impact statement would describe how a proposed policy, be it at Cabinet, Plenary or Committee level, would affect children and their rights. This would result in a step change in social inclusion because it would ensure that children and young people below voting age would be positively and systematically considered in policy formulation. Significantly, such statements would require no statutory powers (3) only political will.

Lesley McCarthy, a children's campaigner working alongside FOE Cymru said:

"If the Assembly is favourable to the idea of child impact statements they could be implemented from 1st July which is the first anniversary of the transfer of powers to the Assembly. This would be a wonderful way of growing and celebrating Wales's new open, inclusive and forward-thinking political culture."

FOE Cymru support the introduction of child impact statements because the campaigners have seen how some policy decisions have adversely affected many children's quality of life and which can only be detrimental to that of coming generations (4). FOE Cymru also suggest that statements could include consideration of views expressed by children during consultation through schools, youth fora and other channels as this would promote the concept of democratic empowerment to young people.

Neil Crumpton, assistant campaigner at FOE Cymru said:

"Policies on issues such as planning, transport, energy, agriculture and the economy can have significant effects on children's lives and that of future generations. Child impact statements offer a good way of including those who have no vote or voice. So they would promote the Welsh Assembly's commitment to sustainable development and also engender an appreciation of democratic process among the young."

Notes

1) Public consultation with a selection of interested parties took place last year.

2) The Council of Europe, which works under the European Court of Human Rights has suggested that 'child impact statements' are one way of complying with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which insists that children, all those under 18, have the right to have their needs considered when decisions which ultimately impact on them, are
made.

3) Statutory powers for the proposed Children's Commissioner for Wales are being sought by amendment to the Care Standards Bill, with a further separate bill with a wider remit to follow.

4) The Government of Wales Act 1998 Section 121 - The Assembly shall make a scheme setting out how it proposes, in the exercise of its functions, to promote sustainable development.