October 3, 2019
On Friday October 4th, 2019, policy analysts and managers from Yukon Government Department of Health Services will receive training on how to integrate children’s rights into policy.
Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA) are instruments used to evaluate the effects of a particular policy decision on the best interests of children and to ensure the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is properly implemented. CRIA is a tool that identifies, analyses and evaluates all potential direct or indirect effects that a policy may have on children.
This training initiative is being facilitated by UNICEF Canada and is being hosted by the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Office in partnership with Yukon Department of Health and Social Services.
“it is important that people developing and influencing policy hold children’s rights in the forefront” states Annette King, Yukon Child and Youth Advocate. “This can minimize systemic problems that may arise down the road”.
Lisa Wolff, Director of Policy and Research at UNICEF Canada, is in Whitehorse this week delivering the CRIA training. “This tool has proven benefits for policy makers who want to invest in children and youth.” states Wolff, “Public policy is stronger when the impacts on children and youth are specifically considered”.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations in 1989 and ratified by Canada in 1991. It contains 42 substantive rights that aim to protect and support children in all areas of their lives.
The Yukon Child & Youth Advocate Office is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly. The operations of the office are guided by the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate Act. Children, youth or others concerned about a child or youth receiving services within Yukon Government can contact the Child and Youth Advocate Office at (867) 456-5575.