Welcoming our Board of Directors and Child and Youth Advisory Board
“We don’t want to grow up in a society where profit is more important. More important than helping one another. Children want to be heard.”
Our economic system is primed to creating young consumers, but our democratic systems are not keeping pace in creating young citizens. Children around the world are clamouring for change, but far too often, communities do not have the systems set up to listen. We continue making decisions for children without them, be that on education, health, safety, social justice, or the climate.
When children are deprived of their right to be heard in decisions impacting their lives, policies, services, and budget allocations for children risk becoming ineffective and inadequate. This leaves children and young people without the support and protection they need, just as it deprives them of the learning and skills development related to direct experience with civic engagement and democratic participation. At times, unwillingness or inability to give children a voice may even put them at risk of harm.
Shutting children out of decision-making contributes to young people losing faith in governance systems - less than half of young people under 25 vote. Even more, we believe it undermines the foundations of democracy. Democratic decline is counting 17 consecutive years, according to Freedom House.
The Child Friendly Governance Project was established to change this. Our vision is a world in which all children and young people reach their full potential through the realisation of their rights, most notably their right to be given an effective voice in decision-making processes affecting their lives.
Achieving this vision is a big task. We are, therefore, delighted to introduce you to the first members of our Child and Youth Advisory Board and the Board of Directors, who will steer the organisation in achieving its vision by supporting all stakeholders impacting the lives of children and young people in placing children’s voices front and centre.
Our Child and Youth Advisory Board
Amine Bidar studies law and became a Youth Ambassador for UNICEF France at the organisation’s first national Youth Council. He has participated in numerous international child participation activities as a member of the global UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Child and Youth Advisory Board.
“Our vision is to create a world where young people can say ‘it's up to me’.”
Gabriel Delgado is a student in veterinary medicine. He has advocated for child rights since the age of seven, when he joined his local child and youth council. Since then, through UNICEF, he has contributed to numerous national and international child rights advocacy efforts.
“Our vision is to create a world where we have the most powerful tools to make the world a safer place for children.”
Jess Mukeba is a student in political science and Spokesperson for the Youth Council for the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. He has advocated for child rights nationally and internationally as a member of UNICEF Germany’s Youth Council.
“Our vision is to create a world where every child, regardless of their social background, has equal opportunities.”
Lilou Baratault is a law student and has advocated for child rights as a Youth Ambassador for UNICEF France and Rotary Club volunteer in the US. She was part of the Child and Youth Advisory Board contributing to the first European Union Strategy on the Rights of the Child.
”Our vision is to create a world where every child, regardless of age, is aware of their rights and knows how to use them.”
Our Board of Directors
Anne Mette Friis, Chair, is Head of Programs at The Human Practice Foundation. She led UNICEF Denmark’s child rights advocacy and programmes for 20 years, notably the Rights Respecting Schools and the Child Friendly Cities programmes. She has also presented the Danish NGO coalition at the Committee on the Rights of the Child and established the National Youth Council.
“Our vision is to create a world where adults understand that only children can tell us how to create the best conditions for mental health and well-being.”
Bruce Adamson is a human rights lawyer and Children and Young People’s Commissioner of Scotland, with more than 20 years of experience of working on child rights issues internationally. As a Board member, he builds on his achievements in legislative change and building effective accountability mechanisms for children.
“Our vision is to create a world where children’s rights and their meaningful participation is the foundation of legitimate and effective decision making.”
Cyril Haddad is a lawyer and Deputy Head of Compliance Onboarding at a Swiss multinational private bank and financial services company. As our Treasurer, he oversees the organisation’s compliance matters and finances.
“Our vision is to create a world where children can be children. A world where children can thrive, and enjoy a childhood full of play, sport, and leisure.”
Gerison Lansdown is an internationally recognised child rights specialist who has developed an important body of work on child participation, including several General Comments to the Convention. As a Board member, she brings in her experience in advising numerous governments, international organisations, and regional institutions in developing their child rights frameworks.
”Our vision is to create a world where all children, as rights holders, are afforded the dignity of being respected, have trust that their views will be taken seriously and believe they can influence change.”
Dr Jeffrey Goldhagen is Professor of Paediatrics, Chief of the Division of Community and Societal Paediatrics at the University of Florida-Jacksonville, and President of the International Society for Social Paediatrics and Child Health. A prominent child rights advocate, he has promoted a whole-community approach to child rights and wellbeing in the US and beyond.
“Our vision is to create a world where equity reins and all children enjoy their optimal health and well-being.”
Kavita Ratna is Director of Advocacy at the Concerned for Working Children, an organisation nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. As a Board member, she brings in her expertise in advising numerous international organisations and governments, including the Committee on the Rights of the Child, on strengthening children’s voices in decision-making processes.
“Our vision is to create a world where children are empowered to participate meaningfully with adults as their worthy partners.”
Sonia Livingstone, OBE, is Professor of Social Psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. As a Board member, she builds on her role as a leading expert on child rights in the digital world. Her publications include more than 20 books and the General Comment no. 25 on children’s rights in the digital environment.
”Our vision is to create a world where children’s participation is welcome, respected and safe, including in digital contexts.”
We are excited to work with the Child and Youth Advisory Board and Board of Directors in the pursuit of our joint vision towards making the voices of children heard, everywhere.
