Unique role ensures children heard at the United Nations
The office’s Young Advisor Robert addressed the United Nations in Geneva three times yesterday, and declared afterwards: “I felt that they really listened to me – I wasn’t just there to tick a box.”
The 17-year-old was one of just five children from around the world to address a working group on an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to free pre-primary education, and free secondary education. It’s the first time the UN Human Rights Council have involved children in the treaty drafting process.
He talked about the importance of free pre-primary and secondary education, the work the Commissioner and the Young Advisors have been doing on education, and the barriers that some children face to access it.
The Commissioner’s office has a significant role as an Independent Child Rights Institution, supporting children’s voices being heard by decision-makers in places of power. Staff from the office supported Robert to take part in the three-day session in the Palais des Nations.
Robert – and the office – were praised for our involvement. The children who were taking part in the session met Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, to share their views and experiences.
She said: “Having young delegates here is essential – the world tomorrow is theirs and we need to reflect their voices. Education can’t just be about talking heads.”
Asked about the importance of our office enabling Robert to participate, she said: “It’s brilliant – we need as many young people involved as possible. All the young delegates spoke so well.
“Young people are here and they are talking truth to people in power without being intimidated. I’ve heard a lot of that over the last few days.”
Chris Mburu, Senior Human Rights Advisor, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: “Having children there – and listening to Robert – adds to the urgency of change. They laid bare a big problem, and showed that some countries can’t commit financially. We heard that there are also other barriers in the way of children around the world receiving their right to education.
“It is fantastic that your organisation has brought Robert – having children speaking and being listened to is the only way we can understand the situation.”
As well as Robert, the other children taking part were Karen, from Mexico, Lana, from Croatia, Roberto, from Liberia, and Sania, from Indonesia.
Opening the session on Monday, Nada al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, spoke directly to the five young people: “Your participation is not symbolic, but essential.”
And Sophie Kiladze, Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, told the session: “I’m especially happy talking about children and their rights when we have children here in the room representing children from all over the world.”