Investing in Children (IiC) established 10 years ago, is an organisation concerned with the human rights of children and young people. IiC seeks to promote the human rights of children and young people by working with organisations and young people to enable them to have a say in issues that affect them. A package of support is offered to organisations, which begins with a training day exploring the position of young people in society by examining society views on childhood. Many organisations use this to help develop their participation strategies.
Stockton Children's Fund signed up to be an IiC partner in 2006 and started the Staff Development programme. Agenda days have also been held, which are an adult free environment where young people discuss issues on an agenda set by them.
Positive results have already been achieved in Stockton with 2 projects already achieving IiC Membership status, others are currently being evaluated. IiC Membership is only awarded where there are examples of an organisation having a dialogue with young people based on their issues and which results in real change for young people. The evidence for this comes from the young people themselves and the award is only given if dialogue and change is proved and then agreed by the young people. The 2 projects to receive the award so far are:
· East Raven's Young Carers Project (2006)
· Grangefield Youth Club (2007)
IiC has a set of principles which all partners sign up to, these are:
- Children and young people are citizens now;
- As citizens, they have the right to participate in decisions that effect them;
- This places a responsibility on agencies to open up their processes and engage children and young people in dialogue;
- Dialogue is different from consultation;
- Children and young people know about what is happening around them (what they have referred to as their 'lived lives').
- Dialogue should be aimed at bringing about improvements in their lived lives.
- The means of engaging children and young people must be inclusive and respect the democratic rights of all.
For more information - please contact Shirley Osfield at IiC on (0191) 386 7485
