Source: UNICEF Aotearoa NZ
Politicians from across parties faced a grilling on children’s rights today, as young people, youth advocates and MPs gathered at a special event at Parliament to mark World Children’s Day, hosted by UNICEF Aotearoa along with MPs Camilla Belich and Greg Fleming.
The Parliamentary Forum was themed around the topics of reducing inequality and discrimination, fundamental concepts that are part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and Convention on the Rights of the Child respectively – core agreements that New Zealand is internationally bound by.
A panel made up of UNICEF Aotearoa Young Ambassadors and other young people addressed over 80 attendees, including youth delegates, children and advocacy groups on access to healthcare, mental health services funding and education. This was followed by a panel made up of MPs from the Labour, Act and Green parties, who faced video questions from children around the country.
Labour’s Willow Jean Prime, Kahurangi Carter of the Green Party and the Children’s Minister Karen Chhour faced questions ranging from how they plan to solve the issues of underage drinking and vaping, to what New Zealand should do to make an impact on climate change.
Teresa Tepania-Ashton, Director of Advocacy at UNICEF Aotearoa, says the forum was held to create opportunities for young people to engage directly with MPs, and demonstrate the value of including children and young people’s perspectives in decision-making.
“Young people are change-makers when it comes to child rights, including the right to equality and non-discrimination. The knowledge in their perspectives is powerful and must inform decision-makers in Parliament,” she says.
“We can all amplify and empower the voices and actions of children and young people. We can elevate their voices on issues that are important to them and increase awareness of the importance of children’s rights”.
Today, November 20th, marks the anniversary of when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1959. World Children’s Day was established to promote togetherness, child rights awareness and children’s welfare.
UNICEF Aotearoa Young Ambassador Tom Tito-Green says World Children’s Day is dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of rangatahi.
“We want to acknowledge the outpouring of support, unity and love for our Māori community protesting the Treaty Principles Bill yesterday – a rangatahi-led kaupapa which demonstrates how the leaders of our country tomorrow are already here” he says.
Tepania-Ashton says it’s vital to support the work that rangatahi are leading for those who haven’t had the same opportunities as others or who have felt the effects of discrimination, such as mokopuna Māori.
“We call on the government to urgently address inequities for children, particularly Māori and Pasifika. We want to see every child, everywhere, thriving”.
