Last month, the UN Day of General Discussion took place. Usually, this happens every two years and it was due last year. However, with the pandemic, it got postponed to this year and was held virtually for the very first time. It had been organised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and it had been long anticipated by people working in my field. It was considered the next step after the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
The fact that it was held online was not the only first. The day was also split up over two days: 16 and 17 September. The first day the afternoon and the second day the morning in Geneva, to allow participants from all around the world to join at least some parts of it without having to get up in the middle of the night for it. Another first was that not only had almost 2000 children and young people across the world been consulted ahead of the Day of General Discussion, quite a lot of children and young people were allowed to speak and share what they felt needed to change about the way alternative care is organised, and why they thought so. This was an encouraging step and an important way of leading by example on upholding the right for children to be heard in matters that concern them.
It was inspiring to hear the insights of the children and young people and the testimonies of their experiences of alternative care. It was also encouraging to hear the promising practice from various countries that showed that many of the issues often presented as insurmountable hurdles, actually do have practical solutions. My main takeaway was that there was a strong international consensus on what is needed to make alternative care work for children. The issues mentioned repeatedly, by speakers from a variety of backgrounds, were very much in line with those that have come up in my blogs again and again.
They spoke of the need for meaningful child participation, the need for family and community strengthening to prevent unnecessary separation of children from their families, the need for deinstitutionalisation – done in a way that provides children and families with the necessary preparation and support and that does not leave children with disabilities behind. There was mention of the need for a well-organised, supported and monitored family-based alternative care system. As well as a need for increased attention for mental health, existing relationships and children’s identities. Many also pointed out the need for better data collection and use on children in alternative care and those at risk of ending up in alternative care. And the acknowledgement of children with disabilities and indigenous children being very much overrepresented in alternative care.
The fact that these important issues were brought up, that experts agree that they need to be address – and examples shared of how this can be done – is all very encouraging and gives hope. However, the question does remain: what happens now? Was this just a discussion? Was it experts agreeing with each other and nothing further?
I really hope that this is not the case. The consensus and the passion of the speakers – young and old – could form a solid foundation to bring about real change and improvement. Not just words, but actions and increased quality of life for hundreds of thousands of children. However, to achieve that, something does need to be done. Governments and large organisations need to take action. Otherwise, it will end up just being words. And we may end up reconvening in another decade to ask why progress was not made. I really hope that will not be the case.
I live-tweeted the event. So if you are interested in seeing some of the quotes and summaries of speakers at the UN Day of General Discussion, you can find them at @KoenderinkF.
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