Action plan for promoting the rights of the child

The city of Geneva established an action plan for promoting the rights of the child, a five-year childhood policy to improve the quality of life for children, ensure the inclusion of all children and increase children’s participation in the development of the city.

The process started with an analysis of all services provided by the city to children under the age of 12 and assessing them in relation to legislation, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The results of this analysis were published in a report called ‘The Rights of the Child in the City of Geneva’. This analysis was followed by a survey of 1,000 children between 10 and 12 years of age and group discussions about their rights and obligations. The consultations, led by the Centre of Child Rights Studies of Geneva and the International Institute for the Rights of the Child in Sion, were also published as a report.

Based on the two reports, the Geneva Administrative Council adopted a multi-year action plan to promote the rights of the child in which it identifies commitments, objectives and priority actions. A committee consisting of representatives from all public services of the city oversee the plan to ensure its strategic and transversal implementation. On the operational side, a coordination group has been established to monitor the implementation of the plan.