Youth & Child-Friendly Houston
Channel: Olivera Jankovska
Date: 2021-11-05

The City of Houston has embarked upon a two-year process, toward recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. The Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) was launched in 1996 by UNICEF to respond to the challenge of realizing the rights of children and now it operates in more than 3,500+ cities and communities. Houston has become a CFCI pilot city and joined San Francisco and Minneapolis as the first cohort of U.S. cities to implement the CFCI. The CFCI in Houston is led by the Mayor's Office of Education.

This pilot initiative will draw on the strengths of existing local efforts across the United States to improve child well-being. It will bring to bear UNICEF USA and UNICEF International’s ability to provide technical expertise, convening power, a globally recognized brand, a diverse network of dedicated volunteers, and a marketing and advocacy campaign to build a non-partisan movement in the U.S. to secure the rights of every child to a safe, healthy and happy childhood.

The Mayor’s Office of Education is working to develop a CFCI local plan of action for children that represents a vision for children and youth within the City of Houston. It will be based on the results of the local situational analysis and integrates the government and community assessment data to determine priorities and strategies for improving the well-being of Houston’s children and young people. The plan will be developed through collaborative and intergenerational planning workshop(s), involving decision makers and representatives of children, youth, and their parents and service providers across the city.

Child participation has different forms. Consultative participation is where adults seek children’s view to build knowledge and understanding of their lives, experience and concerns. Participation can be collaborative – where adults involve children in specific programs and activities. Participation can be also child-led – it takes place where children themselves are provided with the space and opportunity to initiate activities and advocate for themselves. All three forms of participation are important and offer different opportunities for children to influence decisions that bring about change.

Participation is a fundamental right, but it is also a means through which all other rights can be realized. Providing information to children, encouraging them to express their concerns, introducing safe and accessible complaint mechanisms in case of violence and abuse, are key strategies for providing effective protection. In addition to that, children acquire skills, knowledge and confidence, which enhances their development and contributes for reaching their full potential.

More Information on the CFCI and Children's Rights: https://www.houstontx.gov/education/child-friendly-cities.html