In association:

UNITED NATIONS

HUMAN RIGHTSOffice of the High Comissioner

Expert Consultation

Irene Rizzini

The International Center for Research and Policy on Childhood/PUC-Rio

Childwatch International Research Network

1 - 2 November 2011, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2

FOCUS

Children and youth

• who have the street as a central reference point• mostly in their family/community contexts but very vulnerable

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Life on the streets: the heart of the matter

1.The problem persists as a major challenge

2.Inadequate responses persist

3.Opportunities: timing is right (for change)

4.Strategies for change: effective responses

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1. The problem persists as a major challenge

- Understanding the roots of the problem

- Brazil rich and poor; generations of families barely thriving…

- Some indicators: poverty, violence, poor education and slum living conditions

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Rio de Janeiro

2010 census of children in street situations2010 census of children in street situations

45% (12-15); 29% (16-17); 23% (6-11)

57% lived with parents, relatives or friends (4% streets)

24% of the 16,17 year olds completed elementary school

2009 household survey children 0 to 62009 household survey children 0 to 6

46% born into families under poverty line

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2. Inadequate responses persist

- Children seem and treated as threats

- Violent practices

- Negative lens of the media

- Focus on children and youth when at high risk

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Missão

Missão

3. Opportunities: timing is right (for change)

- Children’s rights in Brazil: laws and policies

- The Councils’ work on policies

- Key actors in action: government and NGOs

- Successful use of expertise from University

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Successful experience working with national and local key actors

- Federally mandated Children’s Rights Councils. Rio Council: success in producing the first policy

- Process of constructing policies on street children in dialogue with key actors in 8 states. Follow up of policies adopted in 3 municipalities: RJ, SL, RE)

- Building political support engaging several allies (mandate – responsibility and power to change)

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Successful experience working with national and local key actors

- Identify and engage advocacy groups, workers; youth with street life experience, others

-Establishing an agenda with priorities

- Set up of an implementation oversight committee

- Linking policies to public budgets

- Strategies to face challenges policy implementation

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4. Strategies for change: effective responses

• Identify the roots of the problem (broader picture)

• Responses beyond violation of rights promotion of rights link to other issues such as family planning and support; mental health issues...

• Target as priorities: children on the streets but also those still in family settings though vulnerable (family and community ties)

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CHANGE OF LENS

PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE

FROM “STREET CHILDREN” VIEWED AS A THREAT

TO CHILDREN AS GIFTS

WITH HOPE IN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

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Quando há oportunidades...

CIESPICompromisso com as infâncias do mundo

Committed to children throughout the world

Comprometidos con las infancias del mundo

www.ciespi.org.br