Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Welcome to the Policy Working Group!

An introduction video into the ICCRP's policy working group featuring Natasha Blanchet-Cohen, Holly Doel-Mackaway & Amy Cooper.

Who we are and what we do

What is Policy?

The Policy Working Group is made up of many members who represent different disciplines, institutions, and regions of the world – all of whom are working in some way toward the realisation of children’s rights.

Co-leads of the Policy Working Group are Natasha Blanchet-Cohen (Concordia University, Canada) and Holly Doel-Mackaway (Macquarie University, Australia). Supporting the work is Amy Cooper a research assistant from Concordia University, Canada.

We are always looking to increase our membership and widen the diversity of membership. If you are interested in joining or learning more, please contact us here (opens in new window) .

Together, we hope to

  • Advance research about how children and young people could influence and shape relevant law and policy surrounding children's rights.
  • Explore possibilities for intergenerational partnerships related to children's rights that could inform legal and policy frameworks and advance the implementation of children's rights internationally.
  • Analyse the data emerging from the  (PDF file) ICCRP case studies (opens in new window)  with the view to scan for best practices and identify opportunities for children's participation in legislative and policy reform.

Our guiding questions are

1. What are the body of laws and policies that seek to advance children’s rights? What are some key examples of child rights innovations?

2. What are the notable gaps in children’s rights law and policy? In what areas are these gaps most apparent? What are some key challenges?

3. How are children and young people participating in law and policy making, as well as in law and policy change, implementation and enforcement? If so, how?

4. What are the opportunities and conditions for laws and policies to be informed by young people about matters affecting them?

5. What are the opportunities for intergenerational relationships to transform legal and policy frameworks to advance the realization of children’s rights?

Resources

Insights from Young People as Change Makers in Law and Policy

An  (PDF file) inforgraphic (opens in new window)  developed from the November 19, 2024 webinar “Young People’s Experiences as Change Makers in Law & Policy” hosted by the Policy Working Group of the ICCRP with Samke Mnguni (Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund) and panelists Alexandre Levesque (Children’s Rights Impact Assessment, New Brunswick Child Advocate’s Office), Thandolwenkosi Nkosi (Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund), and Divya Sharma (Shaking the Movers Canada).

Young People’s Experiences as Change Makers in Law & Policy

Young People’s Experiences as Change Makers in Law & Policy

Featuring youth participants connected to the ICCRP case studies, including the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, South Africa, New Brunswick Children’s Rights Impact Assessment project, and Shaking the Movers project across Canada. This 60-minute webinar “Young People’s Experiences as Change Makers in Law & Policy” (external link)  surfaced insights, challenges, and innovative ideas from young people in law and policy work.  This webinar was moderated by Natasha Blanchet-Cohen (Concordia University) and Samke Mnguni (Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund).

‘(Re)Imagining children's participatory rights with decolonial learning’ (O Social em Questão)

(Re)Imagining children's participatory rights with decolonial learning’ (O Social em Questão)

In the article, (external link, opens in new window)  we suggest that participatory rights have been shaped by colonizing projects and suggest alternative ways of thinking and doing, by offering some probing questions designed to redirect and shape a (re)imagining of children’s participation. We explore the connection between children’s participation rights and three of the guiding principles of the convention: non-discrimination (article 2); best interests (article 3); and right to life, survival, and development (article 6).

Using law and policy for children’s rights

This 90-minute webinar “Using law and policy for children’s rights”  (external link) aimed to explore innovative opportunities that lie at the crossroads of children’s rights, intergenerational participation, and policy work. Featuring an international panel of contributors including Elvis Fokala (Centre for Human Rights, Pretoria, South Africa), Terence Hamilton (Domestic Policy Specialist, UNICEF Canada), Fiona Morrison (University of Edinburg, Scotland), Holly Doel-Mackaway (Macquarie University, Australia), Natasha Blanchet-Cohen (Concordia University, Canada) and Amy Cooper (Concordia University).

Advancing Children’s Rights through Law and Policy: Experiences from Brazil, Scotland, and South Africa

Enjoy this webinar "Advancing Children’s Rights through Law and Policy: Experiences from Brazil, Scotland, and South Africa (external link, opens in new window) " hosted by the Policy Working Group in June 2024, this webinar featuring Irene Rizzini (Brazil), Rona Blackwood (Scotland), and Lucy Jamieson (South Africa) was a dynamic discussion that surfaced insightful examples, opportunities, and challenges in moving forward children’s participation and intergenerational relationships in policy and law.