The SDGs, Implementing the CRC, and Children’s Participation

This is the 20^th webinar in the series aimed at developing greater knowledge and understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In its Concluding Observations on Australia’s 5^th and 6^th reports, the UN CRC Committee urged the Australian Government

“… to ensure the meaningful participation of children in the design and implementation of policies and programmes aimed at achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals as far as they concern children ...”

The recommendations repeatedly drew the links to the SDGs including in relation to the mental health of children, free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education, the reduction of inequalities of outcome including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and on urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, Goal 13. The recommendations have direct implications for the allotment of resources and for the drafting of federal and state budgets.

The two expert speakers will address the processes required in ensuring the meaningful participation of children and that the obligations to realise children’s rights are taken into account when implementing Australia’s commitments on the SDGs, and in the allocation of adequate resources as recommended by the UN CRC Committee.

Dr Doel-Mackaway will look at specific SDG-related UN recommendations to the Australian Government and what is needed to ensure appropriate involvement of children and young people in meeting the SDGs. Professor Fenton-Glynn will critique Australia’s budgeting system which largely ignores the SDG’s requirement of a child-rights focus and excludes children and young people’s voices.

NOTE: At least half an hour will be allocated for questions and answers, and comments

Speakers

Dr Holly Doel-Mackaway is a legal academic at the Macquarie Law School in Sydney. Her 2022 book Indigenous Children's Right to Participate in Law and Policy Development presents a model for reforming and developing Indigenous-related legislation and policy in Australia and internationally. It provides guidance about how to seek, listen to and respond to the voices of Indigenous children and young people in line with the CRC. Holly has worked as a children’s rights lawyer across 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific for UNICEF, Save the Children, Law Asia and various other international non-government organisations.

Professor Claire Fenton-Glynn is Director of Cambridge Family Law in the Law School at Cambridge University. Claire’s research lies in the field of children’s rights, comparative law and international human rights law. She has published on a wide range of issues including parenthood (especially international surrogacy), child trafficking and gender identity. Her many published works include an edited collection linking children's rights to the SDGs.

Moderator

Dr Noam Peleg, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law and Justice, UNSW, Book Review Editor, The International Journal of Children's Rights.