Children's Voices

ACYA advocates for increased opportunities for children and young people to be heard in all matters affecting them. One of the fundamental principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) is Article 12, the right to express views and to have those taken into account.

In compiling the shadow report, we will look for examples of good practice in relation to

• the participation of children and young people in civil society
• legal processes
• delivery of services.

It is important to us that our work is informed by the voices of children and young people.

In 2003, we supported children and young people to make a video called Whakarongo Mai/Listen Up for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We are researching major consultations carried out with children and young people in Aotearoa by government departments and other key organisations since 2010. The aim of the research is to identify

• what the children and young people said
• what actions were, or are being, taken as a result.

We are seeking the views of disabled children and young people and their families. The aim is to identify the key children’s rights issues that they feel should be presented to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We are meeting with children and young people in State care. We are seeking their views on the key issues that they feel should be presented to

• the Ministry of Social Development
• the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This research is being funded by the Ministry of Social Development.