David Parker Deputy Director, UNICEF IRC Florence, Italy dparker@unicef

1. Protecting the Rights of Children with Disabilities • Council of Europe, Swedish Presidency /Nordic Council of Ministers • European ConferenceProtecting and Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Europe:Towards full participation, inclusion and empowerment • Strasbourg, 29-30 October 2008 David ParkerDeputy Director, UNICEF IRCFlorence, Italydparker@unicef.org

2. Priority on children with disabilities • In the formative stages of their life-course • Labels and identities given in childhood are of profound significance • Potential gains from early attention • Additional dimension of complexities of adolescence • Linkages to other human rights instruments

3. Heckman curve: Returns to human capital investment Source: James Heckman (Carneiro & Heckman, 2003)

4. Barriers to inclusion • Social model of disability: obstacles in the environment • Policies and regulations • Physical barriers • Social barriers and stigma • Attitudes and self-fulfilling expectations • Poverty as a cause and a consequence of disability

5. Children in institutions • Ongoing policy and programmatic reflections on institutional care • Isolation from families and community life • Developmental delays and often limited availability of care • Particular problems of adolescents • Strong advances toward community-based care • Fostering and other alternative models • Assessment - opportunity

6. Rights of children with disabilities • Existing provisions in the CRC • Key principle of non-discrimination • Provisions – especially in education and social welfare – to the fullest social inclusion • Limitations on how other rights have been taken up for children with disabilities • Consultation in CRPD development with organizations of children with disabilities

7. The CRPD and children • Full enjoyment of human rights on equal basis • General principles of the CRPD applying to all persons • Article 3 (h): “Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities” • Article 6: recognizing the particular situation of girls with disabilities

8. The CRPD and children (cont) • Article 7: Children with disabilities • Enjoyment of rights on an equal basis with other children • The best interests of the child • The right to express views and have them taken seriously • Other rights in the Convention • Access to justice • Age-sensitive assistance for protection against violence & abuse • Registration immediately after birth • Right to family life • Inclusive education, including all necessary support and aids • Play, recreation, leisure and sporting activities

9. Einstein: “We cannot solve problems with the same kind of thinking that created them.”

10. Actions at national level • Review of legislation • Effective remedies in case of violations • A cross-sectoral plan of action • Focal points and interministerial coordination • Independent monitoring mechanisms (e.g., ombuds)

11. Actions at national level (cont) • Resource allocation to and for children and their families • Promote alternatives to institutionalization • Awareness-raising of the public • Community services and support • Centrality of organizations of persons with disabilities

12. The international level • United Nations system processes • Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • Support to national level actions including advocacy • Programme cooperation in some European countries • Roles of multilateral & bilateral agencies, INGOs • Close cooperation with national and regional partners

13. Principles of inclusion • Consulting with and listening to children and families • Integrated and life-cycle approach • Working with parents and families, and all stakeholders • Building on current momentum

14. Thank you www.unicef-irc.org