Workshop: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Building Capacity on Implementation and Reporting

Call for Applications

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP), Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Youth Law Australia are calling for applications for a 2-day intensive training program to build knowledge and understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), of the Australian reporting process to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (the Committee) and with a focus on implementation of the Committee’s most recent Concluding Observations (Recommendations) to Australia, made in September 2019.

Background

As a state party to the CRC, Australian laws, policies and practices must comply with and give effect to the obligations contained in the CRC.

The periodic reporting process to the Committee is an opportunity to review and reflect on challenges to implementation across different jurisdictions in Australia and to promote wider awareness and understanding of child rights. The CRC and the Committee place a particular emphasis on the rights of vulnerable and marginalised children. The reporting process encourages a positive dialogue between civil society and government on the challenges and obstacles to implementing the CRC. States and territories provide information to the Commonwealth as part of the reporting process and receive concluding observations from the Committee. The Commonwealth government is responsible under international law for implementation of the treaty, however the challenge of implementation rests in many areas with states and territories.

In September 2019, the Committee gave Australia its Concluding Observations, which Australian governments must now consider and review with a view to implementation before Australia next reports to the Committee.

This 2-day intensive training program will enable government officials and NGOs to build their knowledge and understanding of the CRC and its principles – including the influential interpretations of the Committee – and relate the CRC and the Committee’s Concluding Observations to relevant policy and practice in Australia. This training program follows successful pilot programs held in Sydney in 2017 and Darwin in 2019.

THE PROGRAM WILL:

  • Provide an introduction to the UN Human Rights framework and Treaty Monitoring process.
  • Build knowledge on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its key principles: Best Interests of the Child; the Right to Non-Discrimination; the Right to Life, Survival and Development; and the Right to Participation.
  • Build knowledge and skills to promote the application and implementation of the CRC in policy, programming, budgeting and monitoring.
  • Strengthen awareness of the CRC Reporting process and skills in preparing effective reports.
  • Promote engagement and collaboration in CRC promotion and reporting.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THE TRAINING?

The program is for:

  • State and Territory government officials from relevant line ministries/departments involved in the development and delivery of services to children and in the treaty reporting process
  • State and Territory bodies with responsibility for and to children
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations working with and for children/advocating on rights
  • NGOs and community organisations working/advocating with and for children.

TRAINERS

Program content and facilitation will be led by leading national and international experts and practitioners.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The program will combine presentations by leading experts and practitioners in international law and the rights of children with interactive practical sessions. The program will recognise and value the experiences and skills that participants bring to its programs and there will be opportunity to share experiences and build collaboration between participants. Expert follow-up technical advice and support on interpretation of the CRC and requirements of the CRC reporting process will be available.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) is an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO) advancing human rights and empowering civil society in the region through quality education and training and the building of skills and capacity. Since 1990 DTP has provided training to over 3000 community advocates and human rights defenders across the Asia-Pacific region. This program will be held in partnership with others including Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Youth Law Australia.

COURSE FEES

The program will be held over two days on the February 24 & 25, 2020.

Program fees include lunch and morning and afternoon tea.

  • Government representatives: $1,500.00
  • NGO staff and program partners: $750.00
  • A limited number of community sponsorships will be available.

HOW TO APPLY

Registration forms can be downloaded from the DTP website or can be requested from dtp@unsw.edu.au.