Chapter 1: My work to promote children’s rights during 2013-2014 Introduction This chapter reports on the work I have undertaken throughout the past year to promote discussion and awareness of matters relating to the human rights of children and young people in Australia. It also discusses the progress of the recommendations that I made in my first statutory report. My major project during 2014 on intentional self-harm, with or without suicidal intent, in children and young people is reported in Chapter 3. My first statutory report to Parliament was released in 2013. It outlined five key themes to guide my work as National Children’s Commissioner. These themes were identified following national consultations (the Big Banter) at the commencement of my term, as well as from considering the human rights issues identified by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in its Concluding Observations on Australia’s compliance with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in June 2012. key themes are: A right to be heard: children’s voice and participation in decision-making processes; specifically involving children in issues that affect them; and ensuring that existing mechanisms for resolving disputes are accessible and available to children. Freedom from violence, abuse and neglect: ensuring safe environments and respect for the dignity of the child; specifically making sure that the commitments made in national frameworks are achieved and built upon, through adequate resourcing and action; encouraging a proactive approach to issues of child safety that places a premium on prevention, through enabling safe communities and environments for children; and building resilience among our children. The opportunity to thrive: safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all children in Australia, which includes promoting and supporting children through early intervention and prevention; and identifying and focusing on the most marginalised and vulnerable children. Engaged citizenship: promoting engaged civics and citizenship through education and awareness-raising. Action and accountability: taking deliberate and proactive steps to protect the wellbeing and rights of children, specifically by collecting comprehensive national data about the wellbeing and human rights of Australia’s children;
Chapter 1: My work to promote children’s rights during 2013-2014 Introduction This chapter reports on the work I have undertaken throughout the past year to promote discussion and awareness of matters relating to the human rights of children and young people in Australia. It also discusses the progress of the recommendations that I made in my first statutory report. My major project during 2014 on intentional self-harm, with or without suicidal intent, in children and young people is reported in Chapter 3. My first statutory report to Parliament was released in 2013. It outlined five key themes to guide my work as National Children’s Commissioner. These themes were identified following national consultations (the Big Banter) at the commencement of my term, as well as from considering the human rights issues identified by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in its Concluding Observations on Australia’s compliance with its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in June 2012. key themes are: A right to be heard: children’s voice and participation in decision-making processes; specifically involving children in issues that affect them; and ensuring that existing mechanisms for resolving disputes are accessible and available to children. Freedom from violence, abuse and neglect: ensuring safe environments and respect for the dignity of the child; specifically making sure that the commitments made in national frameworks are achieved and built upon, through adequate resourcing and action; encouraging a proactive approach to issues of child safety that places a premium on prevention, through enabling safe communities and environments for children; and building resilience among our children. The opportunity to thrive: safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all children in Australia, which includes promoting and supporting children through early intervention and prevention; and identifying and focusing on the most marginalised and vulnerable children. Engaged citizenship: promoting engaged civics and citizenship through education and awareness-raising. Action and accountability: taking deliberate and proactive steps to protect the wellbeing and rights of children, specifically by collecting comprehensive national data about the wellbeing and human rights of Australia’s children;
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