The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC for short!) is an important document that explains what rights children and young people have and what responsibilities governments have in making sure they are protected.
All the rights are connected and are equally important. Rights are something that cannot be taken away from someone.
As an organisation, NIYF works using a “rights-based approach”. This means that rights are important in all the work that we do. This includes:
- Make sure everyone knows the rights they have.
- Checking rights are protected
- Ensure people in power consider young people’s rights in their decision-making processes.
Every five years, each country that has signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has to report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child about how to ensure rights are respected and realised for all children. This is known as a Periodic Review.
2022-2023 marks the 6th Periodic Review of the UK will be taking part in. This process involves a wide range of people and groups including
- Children and Young People
- Organisations including NIYF, Children’s Law Centre, Include Youth, NICCY & VOYPIC
- The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
In February and May 2023, NIYF members and staff were part of the Northern Ireland delegation that went to Geneva, Switzerland to be part of the process in this ‘Periodic Review’.















