This year, our work together explored several ways that systems can be improved if we view them from the perspective of what practically works to empower and support young people. It inspired us all to engage even more deeply in the realization of rights for children and youth.
- In My Shoes, the simulation from Youth Experiential Learning Lab, helped many of us – both those experienced as well as those new to the work – understand the perspective of young people navigating a system that often feels like it was not designed to help youth succeed. Thanks to Brian Blalock of the Youth Law Center and Baker McKenzie’s own pro bono lead, Angela Vigil.
- A riveting keynote from Karabo Ozah reminded us of the terrific journey South Africa has taken in the few decades since apartheid, to establish a system of child rights laws that are the envy of many nations and how we have to work to assure they are respected and implemented. Only then can the law continue to evolve to secure the rights of children.
- Children in Criminal Justice – Detention: We examined ways that international and domestic law establish excellent standards, but implementation is failing to secure those standards. Special thanks to Stanley Malematja and the Centre for Child Law and see more materials here.
- Violence Against Children – Sexual Exploitation: We learned devastating statistics for the prevalence of harmful sexual behaviors across so many communities and discussed strategies to improve the system of justice aimed at addressing them. We are grateful to Marita Rademeyer and the team at Jelly Beanz and see more materials here.
- Access to Education for Children With Disabilities: We began to understand the challenges of differently-abled learners, especially those with sight challenges and the laws and structures that are preventing them from accessing education and learning in many forms. Thanks to Demichelle Petherbridge and the amazing team at SECTION27 and see more materials here.
As a preparatory meeting for the World Congress on Justice With Children, we were able to isolate key issues that can be considered for the global agenda from our convening in South Africa. For more insight on the World Congress, see www.justicewithchildren.org.
Some of our work will be shared to assist in the preparation of General Comment #27 on Access to Justice to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. See more about the General Comment here.
Tremendous thanks to our planning committee members and presenters throughout the day. See the full team as well as photos from the Summit here!