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Crawford School of Public Policy · ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy
Based on evidence globally, UNICEF argues that children are more likely than adults to live in poverty; are especially vulnerable to the deleterious effects of crisis and displacement; and are deeply impacted by inequalities. These issues impact children now - and in terms of their future development and opportunities. We have also seen in recent years children and young people taking a far more active role in policy debates - particularly around climate change, where young activists have provided global leadership. What does this mean for policy-making? Child-centred policy is a means by which children's specific needs, interests and human rights can be made visible and be addressed. It is also a means of recognising children's active citizenship and engagement in policy issues. This course addresses the following key questions: What is child-centred policy? Why does it matter? What are the tools and strategies for child-centred policy making? It provides an understanding of the concepts that underpin child-centred policy, and and an awareness of how to apply practical tools and strategies. The course begins with the concept of children's human rights, exploring in detail the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, its significance for governments as duty-bearers, and its implications for the place of children within societies. It also discusses concepts of children's participation, and how policy can be reflective of children's priorities and experiences - as well as their human rights.
3 short quizzes
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4
Final Paper (Policy Brief) - 2000 words
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3
The standard workload for a 3 unit course is 65 hours including class time and independent study.
There is no prescribed text for this course Preliminary Reading Bronagh Byrne and Laura Lundy (2019) Children’s rights-based childhood policy: a six-P framework, The International Journal of Human Rights, 23:3, 357-373. Sharon Bessell and Tali Gal (2009) 'Forming Partnerships: The Human Rights of Children in Need of Care and Protection' (2009), International Journal of Children’s Rights, 17: 283-298. Khadka, Suman (2013) 'Social Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): Is the CRC a Help or Hindrance for Developing Universal and Egalitarian Social Policies for Children's Wellbeing in the Developing World', International Journal of Children's Rights, 21: 4 616-628. Katrina Lee-Koo (2019) 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70: children’s rights', Australian Journal of International Affairs, 73:4, 326-330. Laura Lundy (2007) 'Voice is not enough: conceptualising Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child' British Educational Research Journal, 33(6): 927–942. UNICEF Office of Research (2021) 'COVID-19 and the Looming Debt Crisis', UNICEF. https://www.unicef-irc.org/search/?q=public+finance Keerty Nakray (2015) 'Child Poverty and Ecological Contexts of Deprivation and Well-being: A Critical Review of Budgeting and Social Policy in India' Social Policy and Administration 46(6): 752-784. Carmel Corrigan (2007) 'Child impact statements: protecting children's interests in policy and provision?', Journal of Children's Services 2(4): 30-43. Michael Freeman (2020) 'The Convention on the Rights of the Children and its Principles', A Magna Carta for Children?: Rethinking Children's Rights, Cambridge University Press. Laura Lundy, Ursula Kilkelly, and Bronagh Byrne (2013). Incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Law: A Comparative Review, The International Journal of Children's Rights, 21(3), 442-463. Sharon Bessell (2021) Rethinking Child Poverty, Journal of Human Development and Capabilities (online).