The vision to conceive the child as a subject of the law must cross all political actions and practices of states and the society THE HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH The human rights based approach is a framework for the development process that, from a normative point of view, is based on international agreements on human rights and from an operational point of view, is oriented towards the promotion and the protection of these rights. This approach has to analyze inequalities, vulnerabilities and exclusions, in order to correct discriminatory practices and the unjust distribution of power/authority that prevent progress in the area of development.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES ON THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD - Non-discrimination (art.2): Every child has the same right as any other to develop his potential in every situation, at all times and everywhere.
- The superior interest of the child (art. 3): It will be "a fundamental consideration" in all measures and decisions that concern the child and it must be used to solve any confusion among different laws.
- The right to living, survival and development (art. 6): It emphasises the importance of every child, girl or boy, of having the facilities and opportunities to develop their full potential within their ability. Thus, it will be fundamental to ensure universal access to basic services and equal opportunity as an infant.
- Respect for their participation and opinions (art.12): This refers to the importance of listening and respecting children’s opinions in all matters related to their rights. Countries must promote an active participation, and also free and significant for the infant in deliberations of making decisions that will affect them.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Human development is the process of expanding the people’s options by means of capacity strengthening and the consolidation of their freedom. These capacities range from enjoying a long and healthy life, acquiring knowledge and having access to the necessary resources in order to achieve a decent level of life to political, economical and social freedom, participating in a social life, having the possibility of being creative and productive, respecting oneself, living with dignity and enjoying the guarantee of having human rights. This paradigm is an attempt to conceive development as a process of expansion of royal liberties that individuals enjoy.
The approach on rights like that of human development implies an integral effort in different dimensions such as economic growth, the reduction of poverty and inequality, democratic governance, gender equality and sustainable development. An experience based on an approach on human rights and development and on democratic governance is not only based on the basic immediate necessities for a community or a specific population, in this case children and adolescents, but on the recreation of institutional local structures that guarantee long term well-being, confronting poverty and its exclusion, encouraging everyone in the society to promote a patriotic culture, and converting the well-being of all children and adolescents in one of the most important indicators for a healthy society. Link to Ciudades Amigas de la Infancia |
