Cardiff has made significant strides in promoting children’s rights and listening to the views of young people since becoming the first UNICEF Child Friendly City in the UK, a new report has revealed.
Cardiff Council secured the prestigious title from the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) for the city last year, in recognition of the authority’s commitment to prioritising children’s rights, while ensuring that every child and young person feels safe, valued, and included.
Achievements earned over the past year include:
- Children’s Rights Education: Cardiff has made substantial progress in educating both adults and children about children’s rights. More than 70% of council staff have received training, and nearly all primary schools have joined UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Award programme. This initiative ensures that children and young people are aware of their rights and can advocate for themselves.
- Participation and Voice: Cardiff has actively involved children and young people in decision-making processes. Over 3,000 hours of active citizenship time were contributed by children and young people, allowing them to participate in important meetings and decisions that shape the city.
- Improving Public Spaces: The city has focused on enhancing parks and public spaces to make them more child-friendly. Children and young people have helped to map communities across the city, creating safer and more enjoyable environments for children and young people.
- Promoting Equality and Inclusion: Cardiff has undertaken various projects to support girls, children from diverse backgrounds, and those with special educational needs and disabilities. Efforts to address school exclusions and ensure fair treatment for all children have been prioritised.
Future Plans include:
- Expanding Children’s Rights Education: Cardiff will continue to educate more people about children’s rights, aiming to reach a broader audience and reinforcing the importance of these rights.
- Enhancing Public Spaces: The city plans to further improve parks and public spaces, ensuring they are safe, fun, and designed with children and young people in mind.
- Ongoing Participation: Cardiff will maintain its commitment to listening to children and young people and the city plans to further create public places which meet the needs of all children and young people by incorporating their ideas into the design and decision-making processes.
- Ensuring Fair Treatment: The city will continue to work on projects that promote equality and inclusion, addressing issues like discrimination and ensuring that all children and young people feel valued and included.
A Cardiff Council spokesperson said: “Cardiff’s journey as a UNICEF Child Friendly City is a testament to its dedication to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for all children and young people. The city’s ongoing efforts and future plans reflect a strong commitment to upholding children’s rights and making Cardiff an even better place for the younger generation to grow up.”
Naomi Danquah, UNICEF UK Programme Director for Child Friendly Cities & Communities, said:
“Cardiff’s recognition as the first UNICEF Child Friendly City in the UK reflected the significant progress the city has made towards advancing the rights of children and young people. The report suggests that Cardiff Council and its local partners continue to build on this progress, and we welcome the ongoing commitments to upholding the rights of every child and young person across the city.”
Child Friendly Cities & Communities is a UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) programme that works with councils to put children’s rights into practice.
The programme aims to create cities and communities in the UK where all children – whether they are living in care, using a children’s centre, or simply visiting their local library – have a meaningful say in, and truly benefit from, the local decisions, services and spaces that shape their lives.
