J4C programme for child and youth advocates

J4C programme for child and youth advocates ensured that 60 children are equipped with advocacy skills to fight injustice and knowledge and tools to develop mechanisms for A2J.

With the support of five professional mentors with substantial experience in the justice system, and after a 3-day training on children’s rights and a 3-day design thinking workshop, Youth Advocates for Justice for Children developed mechanisms and solutions for access to justice. The Advocates worked on their mechanisms during an 8month period in close cooperation with their mentors. Many of the mechanisms are related to the education system, as a place that can guide, support and mitigate the risks in children’s lives. One of the mechanisms is proposing the introduction of peer mediation in schools as a restorative justice mechanism that will support children when they have conflicts or misunderstandings. Another initiative is related to the forming of school clubs, to ensure that all children can have a direction and structured time to strive and fulfil their full potential. The third initiative relates to raising awareness about the right of every child to quality education, including children in contact with the law. The fourth mechanism relates to a one stop shop for information, counselling and support for children when their rights are violated or entitlements denied. All children must have access to this information and learn about their rights and what they are entitled to. Last, one group has worked on a forum theatre that depicts the reality of children when they are faced with bullying and violence.

The mechanisms were presented at a 2-day event with government representatives, Ombudsperson Office, academia and civic sector as well as during another event for taking stock of the Justice for children reform in front of high-level stakeholders including ministers. Through the participation in the programme and their presentation, the children and young people have demonstrated that when given the platform they can think of solutions and ways forward, act on each other’s behalf and jointly fight injustice.

The activities were part of the two-year Action “Just(ice) children – EU for juvenile and child-friendly justice” funded by the delegation of European Union and co-funded by UNICEF to support Government reform efforts to ensure the justice system protects the rights of children who come in contact with the law. The initiative Youth Advocates for Justice for Children was implemented in collaboration with the Youth Educational Forum.