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Justice for Children

Justice for All


The Challenge to Achieve SDG16+
The Call to Action This is a Call to Action to fulfil our collective global
commitment to ensure that all children live peaceful, just

Leave no child behind


and inclusive lives, and are provided with the opportunity
to flourish and live to their full potential. This Justice for Children
This Justice for Children Call to Action offers a new starting Call to Action offers a
point to place children at the heart of an emerging global new starting point to
Roughly 1 in 3 people across the globe movement for justice. It is:
place children at the heart
is a child1. Yet, while the sustainable of an emerging global
development agenda pledges to leave Advancing a new understanding of justice, not
only aiming to overcome the challenges children movement for justice.
no one behind, there is a stark gap when face in accessing legal justice, but also promoting
With a strategic vision that actively justice as an enabler of children’s opportunities and
puts children at the centre, affirms it comes to measuring, understanding, development to their full potential.
human rights, and is aligned with the
SDG agenda, the Justice for Children
and - most critically - fulfilling this global Targeting critical decision makers, drawing together
Call to Action is an international, ambition for children. a range of leaders whose effort and focus ultimately
can realise children’s human rights. In addition, we
multi-agency project and an essential
part of our collective global challenge are also including—very importantly—those whose
to achieve SDG 16. It has been We must strive to ensure that, in our collective efforts to achieve the primary focus is not children, but whose decisions
commissioned by Pathfinders for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we leave no nevertheless have a crucial and significant impact
Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies3, child behind. on children’s lives, whether directly or indirectly.
with the Task Force on Justice. The crucial role of sustained and focussed political
Children are distinct from adults, and have specific needs, rights commitment, and the securing of the necessary
This Justice for Children project4 is and capacities. Responding differently to children in the light of this investment in the appropriate financial resources
led by CELCIS - Inspiring Children’s distinctiveness, including engaging them as agents of change, is essential and skills, underpin these efforts.
Futures at the University of for the successful delivery of these global goals, for people of all ages.
Strathclyde; and developed and In 2015, the SDGs, agreed by all nations, set out an ambitious vision Building on the growing momentum of national
written with the Office of the Special to achieve justice for all by 2030. commitments. There are strong synergies in working
Representative of the Secretary- coherently alongside the SDG 16 global platforms
General on Violence against Children; They provide global coherence and momentum for realising children’s (Open Government Partnership; Global Partnership to
and the Child Justice Advocacy human rights, as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child End Violence against Children; Task Force for Justice
Group, coordinated by Terre des (CRC) and other key international instruments, to ensure children Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Society3)
hommes and Defence for Children experience the full benefits of justice. to support country-led commitments to deliver better
International. A Technical Working The SDG 16 seeks to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for outcomes for children, that will realise their rights,
Group made up of global experts on sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build meet their needs and open up opportunities.
justice for children has advised and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”.2
richly informed this work. Sharply prioritising impact on children’s outcomes,
Five years on, while significant progress has been made to conceptualise this Call to Action is maintaining a focus on the end
and quantify the different aspects of justice, and to monitor progress, results for children, achieved through highly effective
it is apparent that one specific group has remained largely invisible: implementation channels to securing sustained
children. Consequently, unless particular attention is directed to children, change, and addressing our weaknesses to date in
as a global community we will fail to achieve the bold aim of leaving accelerating progress to realise the rights, needs and
no one behind. opportunities for children.

1. UNICEF calculation, UN Population Division statistics, 2016: 30.9% of the global population is estimated to be under age 18, 3. The Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies are a group of member states, international organizations, global
https://data.unicef.org/resources/state-worlds-children-2017-statistical-tables/; World Bank, 2017: 26% of the global partnerships, and other partners committed to accelerating the delivery of the Agenda 2030 targets for peace, justice and
population is estimated to be under age 14, and 42% aged under 25. inclusion (SDG16+).It is convened by the governments of Brazil, Sierra Leone, and Switzerland, with New York University’s
Center on International Cooperation.
2. See https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg16
4. For information on the Justice for Children Project please contact: iicf-enquiries@strath.ac.uk https://www.strath.ac.uk/
humanities/inspiringchildrensfutures/globalopportunitytoensurejusticeforchildren/

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Ensure justice in all its forms meets Justice in all its forms includes
the rights, needs and opportunities criminal and civil justice, as
of children Respond to the call well as economic, social and
cultural justice.
Children face particular challenges in human development, impacting areas The Call to Action is a chance to commit
living just and inclusive lives due to their such as health, education and social to a transformative agenda for this and
age, maturity and status and because protection, which play a pivotal role in future generations of children worldwide.
they are dependent on the care of adults delivering better outcomes for children6.

Seize the moment


and the communities around them. This Call to Action highlights the critical,
Justice in all its forms includes criminal collective and global Responses needed
Children differ from adults in their and civil justice, as well as economic, across Ten Challenges that are essential
physical and psychological development, social and cultural justice. To ensure this if the rights, needs and opportunities for
their emotional and educational needs5, justice, children need access to universal children are to be addressed sufficiently
and their evolving capacities. Because services such as education and health In 2019, we mark the 30th anniversary of
to ensure we leave no child behind in our
children have these distinct needs, they care, and a justice system adapted to the the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
efforts to achieve the SDGs.
need specialised approaches to fulfil rights and needs of children to prevent There is no better time to demonstrate
their potential, determine their best harm, to claim their rights, to seek redress This Call to Action urges commitments visionary political leadership, not only on
interests and realise their rights. or to complain about the violation of their from international, national and local behalf of those who are children today,
rights.7 At the same time, children have political leaders, policymakers, and the but for the 1 billion individuals10 who
Children can come into contact with deliverers of public services, as well as will be born between now and 2030: the
a right to be empowered to contribute
the law and justice systems as victims, non-state actors to inspire, implement, children who will inherit a post-SDG world.
to, and participate in, justice systems and
as witnesses, and when accused of an sustain and monitor solutions that realise
across all areas of their lives. By setting this issue at the heart of the
offence, as an interested party or because justice for children.
intervention is required for their care, However, children do not consistently agenda in 2019, this Call to Action is an
protection, health and wellbeing. They experience the justice to which they It calls for accelerated progress, through invitation to reconvene in 2020 for the
require child-friendly and gender-sensitive have a right. Children and their specific a focus on justice for children, towards 75th anniversary of the United Nations,
justice systems that are specialised, meet requirements are often hidden or made securing children’s human rights as set out and demonstrate that we, as a global
their needs and ensure access to justice invisible by the adults around them. Due in the UN Convention on the Rights of the community, are delivering on our promise
when their rights are violated. This is of to their dependence on others, they Child (CRC) and other key international to leave no one behind.
greatest importance where children are often face challenges in accessing justice. instruments, with Agenda 2030 and
An endorsement to this Call to Action
unheard and for those who experience Responding effectively to this dimension the Sustainable Development Goals,
for Justice for Children is to demonstrate
profound and sustained injustice. of inequality will be the only way to particularly Goal 16, providing global
bold and visionary leadership today, to
ensure in the Agenda 2030 that we leave coherence and momentum.
Also, children benefit from justice accelerate change for children now.
no child behind. This Call to Action is based on the Justice
systems when these are focussed not
only on resolution, but on prevention With 30.9% of the global population for Children background Challenge Paper9
and protection. With justice as estimated to be under age 188, children (June 2019), and is prompting sustained
prevention, there is greater scope for and young people account for a huge national commitments to achieve justice
investment that delivers outcomes that proportion of our population. Our success for children across the range of SDG16+ Our success in the delivery of
matter to communities and societies, in the delivery of the global goals - that implementation efforts.
such as fewer and less serious disputes, relate to all ages - will therefore heavily
the global goals will heavily
lowered risk of violence in all its forms, rely on responding effectively and robustly rely on responding effectively
and lowered risk of rights abuses. to the distinct needs and rights of children.
Prevention provides the platform for and robustly to the distinct
needs and rights of children.

5. There are important references of relevance here incorporated in the CRC  General Comment No. 14 (2013), on the right of the child to have his or her best interests taken as a 9. Davidson, J.; Elsley, S.; Giraldi, M.; Goudie, A.; Hope, K.; Lyth, A.; VanKeirsbilck, B. (2019): Justice for Children, Justice for All: The Challenge to Achieve SDG16+ A background Challenge Paper. CELCIS-Inspiring Children’s
primary consideration (art. 3, para. 1); and General Comment No. 10 (2007), Children’s rights in juvenile justice, ‘Best interests of the child’ (art. 3). Futures. Glasgow: University of Strathclyde.
6. New York University, Center on International Cooperation. Challenge Paper: Justice as Prevention. Background paper for the Task Force on Justice. https://cic.nyu.edu/ 10. World Population Clock: 7.7 Billion People (2019) expected to grow to 8.6 billion by 2030: https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/#table-forecast
challenge-paper-task-force-on-justice
7. Liefaard, T. (2019) Access to justice for children: towards a specific research and implementation agenda. The International Journal of Child Rights 27:2 https://brill.com/
view/journals/chil/27/2/article-p195_195.xml
8. UNICEF calculation, UN Population Division statistics, 2016 at https://data.unicef.org/resources/state-worlds-children-2017-statistical-tables/; World Bank, 2017: 26% of
the global population under age 14, and 42% aged under 25.

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A Call to Act:
Respond to Ten Challenges
B Accelerate action to
respond to the urgent
and critical challenges
The Justice for Children Call to Action has identified Ten
Challenges that need urgent attention and deliberately
focussed responses at international, national and local level.
These encompass prevention efforts; the urgent challenges;
5 Prevent all forms of violence against children.

Safeguard the rights of children who have been


and the foundations required to drive and sustain change. recruited, used by or associated with armed, violent
6 extremist and other criminal groups, or who have
been accused of national security-related offenses.

A
Eliminate arbitrary and unlawful detention and
7 restrict the deprivation of children’s liberty to
exceptional circumstances.
Promote justice as an

C
enabler of children’s
development Establish and sustain
the foundations for
change
1 Guarantee the wellbeing
and inclusion of all children.

Promote and ensure the empowerment and


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Promote justice systems, whether formal or
2 legally plural, that guarantee equal access,
benefit, protection and support to children.
participation of children in all decisions that
affect their lives.

3 Prevent unnecessary contact with the justice


system and the criminalisation of children. 9
Secure sustained political commitment
to accelerate the achievement of high-quality
justice for children.

4 Ensure the right to a legal


Ensure responses are based on international
identity for all children.
10 standards and evidence-based policies.

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A
Promote justice as an enabler come into contact with adult systems
that are rarely adapted to their specific
needs and rights. Many countries are
The majority of young people’s challenging
behaviours can be resolved and
addressed without the need for punitive
of children’s development characterised by legal pluralism. In these
countries, the overwhelming majority of
intervention. Contact with the justice
system and any consequent criminalisation
children come into contact with justice and penalisation of children creates

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mechanisms that lie outside of official, more problems than brings solutions.13
Guarantee The role of investment in education,
health care, and family and
formal structures. Such policies bring children into a judicial
system that damages them and pushes
the wellbeing community-strengthening programmes More needs to be known about informal
them potentially into more anti-social or
is pivotal in securing justice for children. justice systems and their decision-making
and inclusion of When accorded a high priority, the in order to understand their role and
criminal behaviour. Young people are more
vulnerable to the negative psychological
how it can complement formal systems in
all children. benefits in both the short and long-
accordance with children’s rights12. In turn,
impacts of harsh punitive measures.14
term from these investments can be
The social exclusion and marginalisation transformative in the lives of children. formal justice systems need to ensure they Educational systems, health systems,
of people, especially children and Over the long term, investing in children also meet the rights and needs of children. alongside family and community
young people, denies their human through prevention saves money and Response: Ensure that all systems, formal, strengthening efforts are key components
Progressive rights and undermines their wellbeing contributes to reducing poverty and social semi-formal and informal, are child-friendly, of an integrated child justice system.
policies, delivered and development, leading to more exclusion, and tackling the discrimination gender-sensitive and rights-compliant. Integrated child protection services which
vulnerability in society. Despite many that children experience. This investment focus on the wellbeing of children and
through structured years of effort, major shortcomings and
Develop strategies that bring together the
their families have the potential, along
improves children’s overall outcomes. child rights, civil justice and criminal justice
inter-agency failures remain to be addressed: a large communities to facilitate multi-disciplinary with other specialised approaches, to
Response: Identify the policies, situations,
number of children and young people’s support children and help bring about
collaboration, which practices and legislation that lead to - and approaches.
changes in their behaviour, helping
rights and needs go unmet, and have those that can reduce the harm of, as well
strengthen the well- negative experiences such as being as eradicate - exclusion, discrimination and
Make available legal assistance and
children to assume a constructive role
representation for all children.

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being of the family abandoned, neglected, abused, exposed anti-social behaviour. in society which is in the interest of
to substance misuse and living in marginal everyone.
unit and parents in circumstances.
Effectively implement preventative and Prevent unnecessary
restorative strategies and programmes, Response: Review justice systems for children
their care-giving across integrated systems that are, together, contact with the to identify areas where law, policies, systems
Children can be propelled into the justice
role, and thereby system by violence at home, poverty, supporting children’s health, wellbeing, and
justice system and the and practice discriminate against, or do not
flourishing, and addressing child and family meet, the rights of children.
the well-being of structural violence and risky survival
poverty, exclusion and discrimination. criminalisation of children.

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activities. Children who come from Eliminate practices that drive unnecessary
children, should be poor, marginalised and socially excluded contact with the justice system.
a priority, especially communities are the most affected, with
Promote justice Across the world, there are children
Seek alternatives to arrest and promote non-
who have contact with the justice
those that bring a children from ethnic and minority groups systems, whether system for alleged offenses that should
custodial measures, including during the pre-
over-represented in the criminal justice trial stage, through diversion and restorative
self-sustaining and system.11 formal or legally not be regarded as crimes, including justice.
being kept in detention. This includes
sustainable benefit Progressive policies, delivered through plural, that guarantee both status offences and allegations of Prioritise reform in areas where children are
involved in adult-based rather than child-
to the family. structured inter-agency collaboration,
equal access, benefit, being associated with armed groups or
centred justice systems.
which strengthen the well-being of the criminal gangs. Many children are held
family unit and parents in their care- protection and support to in administrative, preventive, military or
giving role, and thereby the wellbeing of prolonged pre-trial detention, without the
children, should be a priority, especially children. guarantees of due process, and in violation
those that bring a self-sustaining and Formal justice systems are different of their rights as enshrined in the CRC and
sustainable benefit to the family. In across the world. In some countries, other international instruments. The majority of young
addition, while poverty remains
entrenched, strengthening child and social
there are specialised justice systems that
have been established for children. In
people’s challenging
protection systems is crucial, and can bring other countries, or at an older age during behaviours can be resolved
positive benefits for the family and the childhood (under 18 years of age), children 12. See, for example, the African Child Policy Forum. Spotlighting the Invisible - Justice for

children.
children in Africa (2018) https://app.box.com/s/qchz99m0x9q0iz378a95upnh57nxcu2m
13. For an in-depth, localised example, see: McAra, L., & McVie, S. (2010). Youth crime and
and addressed without the
need for punitive behavour
justice: Key messages from the Edinburgh Study of Youth Transitions and Crime. Criminology &
Criminal Justice, 10(2), 179–209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895809360971
11. OSRG VAC (2012) Prevention of and responses to violence against children within the juvenile justice system. https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/sites/ 14. Centre for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law, Protecting Children Against Torture in
violenceagainstchildren.un.org/files/documents/publications/8._prevention_of_and_responses_to_violence_against_children_within_the_juvenile_justice_system.pdf Detention: Global Solutions for a Global Problem. (Washington DC: Washington College of
Law, American University, 2017).

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4 B
Ensure the right to a Implement programmes which prevent
violence, with a focus on children and including
Put in place early prevention approaches and
services to address drivers of child recruitment,
legal identity for all early interventions and support to families; on
community and school-based interventions;
and use by and association with armed,violent
extremist and other criminal groups and
children. and on addressing the causes of anti-social and those that decrease children’s vulnerability to
criminal behaviour. Apply the comprehensive recruitment and re-recruitment.

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Legal identity is fundamental to justice for evidence-based strategies entitled INSPIRE21
children. Registering a child immediately for the effective prevention of violence against
children and to respond well to children who
Eliminate arbitrary
after birth is the first step in recognizing
a person’s existence before the law. This have experienced violence. and unlawful

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is a prerequisite for being able to claim detention and
and exercise all other rights. It provides Safeguard the rights
access to a nationality or at least is a key restrict the deprivation
element to prevent statelessness. It plays
a pivotal role for the achievement of social
Accelerate action of children who
have been recruited, of children’s liberty to
inclusion and economic empowerment,
and for achieving many of the other SDGs. to respond to the used by or associated with exceptional circumstances.
armed, violent extremist
urgent and critical
It is a fundamental and essential step Deprivation of liberty is one of the
towards ensuring that all individuals are most harmful violations of children’s
Violence equal before the law, can claim their rights and other criminal fundamental human rights. In many
against and access the justice system, as well as
other basic services such as health and
challenges groups, or who have places, its use is not only of concern but
growing, with children being deprived of
children is been accused of national

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education. Legal identity also supports liberty in the context of migration, armed
unlocking equal access to social protection conflict or terrorism.25 It occurs very often
preventable, systems and economic opportunity
Prevent all forms security-related offenses. in harmful conditions, and with children
and not amongst others. of violence against While the recruitment by armed groups detained with adults.

children. and criminal gangs has a long history, Depriving a child of their liberty impacts
inevitable In the context of justice, ensuring that all
children have the necessary legal identity the recruitment of children by violent on their wellbeing and continues into
and status means that, at least legally, they Violence, abuse and neglect of children extremist groups is a more recent adulthood. The negative consequences
are able to access mechanisms to enforce has long term implications, both for the phenomenon that poses a new challenge contribute to poor physical and mental
their rights. Without this, children face individual child and society at large. Half of to the rule of law.22 Children can be health, lack of access to education, a high
profound barriers in accessing justice.15 the world’s children are victims of violence treated primarily as victims while still rate of recidivism, family breakdown and
This is a fundamental violation of their each year17. It is estimated that up to being held accountable for their actions unemployment. These result in higher
rights. Child migrants and refugees are 1 billion children aged 2-17 years have rather than their associations by following costs for the State in the long term.
particularly affected by barriers to access experienced physical, sexual, or emotional international standards and guidelines
Response: Drastically reduce the number
legal identity.16 violence or neglect in the past year.18 Two applicable to juvenile justice, armed of children deprived of liberty: Ensure that
in every five modern slaves are children.19 conflict, and reintegration.23 detention is only used as a matter of last
Response: Establish and implement a national
plan to strengthen civil registration systems However, violence against children is There should be national commitments resort, in exceptional circumstances and for
to facilitate the process of birth registration vastly under-reported and often met to treat all children as children, regardless
the shortest possible period. In situations of
immediately after birth, and access to other with a fragmented response or inaction.20 immigration, do not detain children due to
of their associations and actions. These their immigration status.
components of legal identity for all children, to When left unprotected, children are highly commitments should include avoiding
ensure all children are registered and have a vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and The Global Study on Children Deprived of
taking actions which create grievances,
legal identity without discrimination. neglect. But violence against children is Liberty26 will be presented to the United Nations
which can make them vulnerable to
Remove barriers to civil registration for migrant preventable, and not inevitable. General Assembly in October 2019.
re-recruitment or recidivism, which in
and refugee children and their families by both Its conclusions will be instructive in our
Response: Establish legislative and policy turn has high costs for States.24 efforts to realise justice for children.
host and home States. measures which ensure children have equal
Response: End the over- securization,
protection from violence under the law. This
criminalisation and demonisation of children
includes a comprehensive ban of all forms of
associated with armed groups in these
violence against children, including corporal
situations and focus on their protection,
punishment, as well as adherence to basic
rehabilitation and reintegration in line
human rights principles regarding relevant
with their rights under international law.
criminal and civil proceedings.

15. CRIN (2016) Rights, Remedies, Representation: Global Report on Access to Justice for Children. https://archive.crin.org/sites/default/files/crin_a2j_global_report_final_1.pdf 21. WHO https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/inspire/en/
16. See the Global Compact For Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/sites/default/files/180713_agreed_outcome_global_compact_for_migration.pdf 22. See UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee https://www.un.org/sc/ctc/focus-areas/countering-violent-extremism/
17. Susan Hillis, James Mercy, Adaugo Amobi, and Howard Kress, “Global Prevalence of Past year Violence Against Children: A Systematic Review and Minimum Estimates,” Pediatrics. 23. For example, see the UN Secretary-General’s note to the General Assembly, A/C.5/59/31. The integrated disarmament, demobilization and reintegration standards
2016;137(3):e20154079, accessed November 12, 2018, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/137/3/e20154079.full.pdf https://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/cpr/documents/ddr/SG_Report_on_DDR_to_GA_s-60-705_March_2006.pdf
18. WHO https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-children 24. UNU. Cradled by Conflict: Child Involvement with Armed Groups in Contemporary Conflict https://collections.unu.edu/eserv/UNU:6409/Cradled_by_Conflict.pdf
19. International Labour Office, Global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage. (Geneva: ILO and Walk Free Foundation, 2017). 25. See the United Nations Global Study- CHILDREN DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/StudyChildrenDeprivedLiberty/Pages/Index.aspx
20. UNICEF. Multi Country Study on the Drivers of Violence Affecting Children https://www.unicef-irc.org/research/violence-affecting-children/ 26. United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/StudyChildrenDeprivedLiberty/Pages/Index.aspx

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C Establish and sustain the
10
of the financial and human resources Ensure responses
necessary to resolve the prevailing
challenges, as well as effective approaches are based on
foundations for change to implementation. Without these
prerequisites, progress towards securing international
justice for children is inhibited and standards and

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delayed.
Promote and ensure one quarter of courts fail to let children evidence-based policies.
give evidence, a basic legal requirement, Highlighting the significant potential
the empowerment due to their age or because evidence from returns to investment in ensuring justice The Agenda 2030 commitment to leave no
children is not given due weight in court for children is critical in generating one behind requires that children should
and participation of proceedings.29 political support within States for both the be specifically included and identified in
children in all decisions All forms of justice can better meet the
overarching vision for reform and detailed the way quantitative and qualitative data
change programmes. These returns accrue and evidence are gathered and used to
that affect their lives. rights of children and be more effective both directly to children as they benefit improve justice for all, including children.
if they are informed by children’s views from leading lives to their full potential The SDGs are particularly relevant for
International law stipulates that children and experiences, and build on children’s in a just society, and less directly from those people who are on the margins,
have the right to be heard and their views effective participation. the net benefits that accrue to the wider overwhelmingly the position of children,
should be given “due weight in accordance Responses: Examine formal, semi-formal and community and nation. The latter are because children are virtually invisible in
with the age and the maturity of the informal justice systems to assess how children generated from the greater contribution the creation and functioning of justice
child” (Article 12, CRC). Children in need are empowered and able to meaningfully
All forms of of justice have specific requirements to participate in line with international
of the children to society, and from the
cost savings that result from the positive
systems.
Children and young people are heavily
justice can be be heard and their views should be taken
into account in line with the CRC and
commitments.
impact of greater justice on the demands
reliant on justice systems to protect and
Make available specialised and age-appropriate of the child on society, and the reductions
more effective other international treaties and guidelines. legal assistance and representation, especially in service provisions to manage the impact
promote their rights, yet legal needs and
However, this commitment is not victimization surveys are not designed
if they are consistently built into justice systems. For
trained to deal and communicate with children,
for all children. Children should have active and
of these injustices.
to capture their justice needs, and other
informed by example, at all stages, from encountering meaningful roles in justice reform, particularly Response: Ensure that there is support and
leadership from key decision-makers in
evidence suggests they face an even wider
the police to the implementation of children who have been in contact with justice gap than adults.30
children’s views measures, including in institutions and prevention and justice systems. government, primarily the Ministers for Justice,

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Finance, Education and Internal Affairs, as well The justice gap needs to be measured in a
and experiences, custodial settings, children’s views and
experiences continue to be poorly heard Secure sustained as, naturally, the Minister for Children, or their way that consistently ensures a focus on
equivalents, to implement justice for children. children and ensures that justice systems
and build across the world. Likewise, in civil justice political commitment Ensure that there is an awareness and and services meet international human
decision-making, for children who are at
on children’s risk of being, or unable to live with their to accelerate the understanding of the significant benefits and rights standards.
savings to wider society of investing in justice
effective parent(s), effectively determining the
achievement of for children, as well as the direct benefits to
Response: Methodically and strategically
collect, analyse and use data and evidence
necessity of alternative care for that child, the child.
participation. and their most suitable care option, relies high-quality justice to accelerate better policy identification and
innovative changes that will make a positive
Accord a high priority to prevention budgeting
on practitioners ensuring the views of
the child are sought, heard and genuinely for children. to reduce costs in the future and produce wide
social, economic and environmental benefits.
difference for children. This should include data
generated by, and with, children.
taken into account.27 This is far from yet
Every Government at national and local Promote and share strategies and indicators
being the norm.28
level requires sustained, high levels of to measure success and outcomes on justice
Children accessing justice systems often political commitment to implement for children.
do not have access to legal advice, justice for children. This needs to be
representation and advocacy and over underpinned by the rigorous prioritisation
Every Government at Develop new knowledge through research
on effective approaches to preventing and
national and local level responding to children in conflict with the
law or in contact with the justice system.
requires sustained,
27. See the United Nations’ Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/673583 and the application of the necessity/ high levels of political
suitability principles in Moving Forward: Implementing the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children http://www.alternativecareguidelines.org
28. EU (2018). Towards the Right Care for Children: Orientations for reforming alternative care systems Africa, Asia, Latin America. https://www.celcis.org/
knowledge-bank/search-bank/towards-right-care-children/
commitment to implement 30. The Taskforce for Justice Report, Justice for All (Chapter 1) explains
the Justice Gap in detail. See https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/6c192f_
29. CRIN (2016) Rights, Remedies, Representation: Global Report on Access to Justice for Children https://archive.crin.org/sites/default/files/un_a2j_global_
report_final_1.pdf
justice for children. f1e29f70bfed4f0580d6943332e377d0.pdf

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The Plan for Delivering the Call: Establish a High Level Implementation Group of global
ambassadors and champions of Justice for Children
Creating the environment to to inspire global and national commitment and action,
achieve Justice for Children and to raise awareness more widely.

The success of this Call to Action rests Children and the Open Government
on securing national commitments, and Partnership and work in partnership Enabling real change for children: Learning together to get better:
implementing local change to achieve to deliver the vision.
justice for children globally. It depends on Facilitate conversations with leading Collectively undertake activities that
Pursue global, regional and national global and regional organisations to generate new knowledge, inspire
decisions and actions in those countries,
opportunities to drive forward the explore the importance of Justice political will and bring greater focus
communities, families and between
vision, strategy and priorities to for Children to their interests and on each of the Ten Challenges and
individuals to effect this change.
deliver Justice for Children. determine their role in delivery. Responses.
This Call to Action challenges us all to
Galvanizing courage and leadership: Convene a series of regional and local Convene partnerships to develop a
rethink our ‘business as usual’ efforts and
appeals to a wide range of actors to make Establish a High Level Implementation roundtable events to disseminate to, clear framework to measure progress
decisions and act in ways that will more Group of global ambassadors and and explore the implications of, the over time, based on concrete and
effectively achieve justice for children. champions of Justice for Children Call to Action with key policy-makers quantified goals and actions, with
to inspire global and national and delivery agents in those regions. meaningful indicators and data.
With aligned partnerships and coherence
commitment and action, and to raise Explore how to support national Identify and tackle the real world
across our many efforts, we must
awareness more widely—especially leaders in their pursuit of bedding obstacles and inhibitors of progress,
galvanise leaders and other actors
across the range of institutions in the Justice for Children vision in and act to lessen their power on
globally - including the international donor
and actors that are not normally their national communities, and progress for Justice for Children.
community of multilateral and non-
associated directly with delivering implementing quality nationally-
government organisations and national Explore with key national
these priority outcomes for children, tailored programmes.
governments - to implement solutions that governments already engaged in
but which have a powerful, albeit less
realise Justice for Children in the following Working with and through others, taking forward the Justice for Children
direct, impact on justice for children.
ways: secure commitment from national vision, their potential roles as Global
They are essential to injecting
Inspiring others to take up the Vision: sustained momentum into securing and local stakeholders to implement Exemplars.
these outcomes. and monitor solutions that realise
With the Pathfinders for Peace, Just Identify successful examples of
Justice for Children.
and Inclusive Societies, embed the Support networks of children practice in national and local settings
Justice for Children vision within the themselves working alongside the and support their appropriately
overarching global justice vision, as High Level Implementation Group as adapted implementation.
set out in Agenda 2030. agents of change to inform the High
Level Implementation Group and the
Harness the Global Platforms by
wider project.
aligning Justice for Children with the
existing platforms advancing Agenda Explore how to support national leaders
2030 and the UN SDGs, including
the Task Force on Justice, the Global
in their pursuit of bedding in the Justice for
Partnership to End Violence Against Children vision in their national communities,
and implementing quality nationally-tailored
programmes.

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Authors:
Professor Jennifer Davidson,
Project Director and Executive Director of CELCIS and Inspiring Children’s Futures
Dr Susan Elsley, Independent Child Rights Consultant
Miriana Giraldi, International Associate, CELCIS
Professor Andrew Goudie, Adviser to Justice for Children Project, University of Strathclyde
Kristen Hope, Access to Justice Research and Advocacy Coordinator, Terre des hommes
Annette Lyth, Chief of Office,
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Violence Against Children
Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Director, Defence for Children International, Belgium

Citation:
Davidson, J.; Elsley, S.; Giraldi, M.; Goudie, A.; Hope, K.; Lyth, A.; VanKeirsbilck, B. (June
2019): Justice for Children, Justice for All: The Challenge to Achieve SDG16+ Call to Action.
Glasgow: CELCIS - Inspiring Children’s Futures, University of Strathclyde.

Acknowledgements:
The authors are very grateful to the Technical Working Group participants in the international
expert meeting in Venice, Italy (14-15 Mar 2019); to those who generously gave their time
directing the team to key ideas and references; and to those who commented on drafts of
the Challenge Paper. Thanks also to those whose reflections, support and other efforts have
been critical to the achievement of this project including the translators for this project; and the
excellent Justice for Children Secretariat Team: Miriana Giraldi and Maria Flores-McGinty,
CELCIS; Charlotte Morris, Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice; and Myriam Wischnewski,
Defence for Children International Geneva. For full list, see the Challenge Paper.

www.InspiringChildrensFutures.org
https://justice.childhub.org/en/sdg16j4c

Disclaimer:
This Call to Action has been commissioned by the Pathfinders for a Peaceful, Just and Inclusive
Society, and the Task Force on Justice. The contents do not necessarily reflect the policies
or the views of these organisations or of the University of Strathclyde. Any part of this
Call to Action may be freely reproduced with the appropriate acknowledgement.
Permission to translate all or any part of this Call to Action should be obtained through CELCIS.

© CELCIS - Inspiring Children’s Futures at the University of Strathclyde.

June 2019

First Endorsers:

Please offer your organizational endorsement by contacting: iicf-enquiries@strath.ac.uk

Brochure design: www.huttoncreativedesign.co.uk

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