The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organized a two-day symposium in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The event brought together youth representatives and officials from child rights organizations and national human rights commissions hailing from Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and the Philippines. Participants—both in-person and online—joined youth delegates from Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities to engage in meaningful dialogue about Child Rights Monitoring Mechanisms and youth participation in public affairs. NHRC Chairperson Chen Chu pointed out that while advancements in technology offer unprecedented opportunities for young people today, they also pose significant challenges to child rights, including issues such as cyberbullying and the dissemination of inappropriate content. She stressed that these challenges transcend national borders and highlighted the necessity for international and regional cooperation. Furthermore, she expressed hope that the exchange of experiences among child rights advocates from different generations and countries would contribute to the improvement and refinement of Taiwan’s human rights frameworks. Bruce Adamson, Vice Chair of Global Child Friendly Governance Project in Scotland, remarked that “rights are the armor of children,” advocating for their right to receive necessary support without the need to request it. Participants from around the world resonated with this sentiment and highlighted the critical role of youth voices in shaping policies, as children are the foremost champions of their own rights. The NHRC aspires to leverage these international insights to create a national framework for monitoring child rights, as they aim for a more thorough application of these rights in Taiwan.
This year is significant as it marks the centenary of the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the 35th anniversary of the UN's adoption of the CRC, and over ten years since the enactment of the Implementation Act of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Taiwan. Chairperson Chen noted that child rights enshrined in the UN Convention are safeguarded by Taiwanese Law and referenced statistics from Taiwan’s Non-Consensual Intimate Image Center, revealing that 20.1% of reported cases between January and March of this year involved child victims. She also raised concerns shared by the International Review Committee of the CRC regarding the mental health of Taiwanese youth—particularly the alarming increase in suicide rates among those aged 10 to 19 over the past decade. She noted that that the intense focus on academic success in many Asian nations has adversely impacted children’s rights to rest and leisure, underscoring the urgent need to monitor the implementation of child rights.
This international event featured prominent speakers, including Bruce Adamson, Vice Chair of the Global Child Friendly Governance Project; Nuala Ward, Director of Investigations at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) in Ireland; Anne Hollonds, Australian National Children’s Commissioner; Hon. Beda A. Epres, Commissioner of the Philippine’s Commission on Human Rights; and Victoria Diaz, Director of the Philippine’s Commission on Human Rights’ Child Rights Center. Other notable attendees included Finlay Anderson, a former youth advisor of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS), Ellie Craig, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, and Liu Rong-yu and Cheng Tien-li, representatives from Taiwan’s Central Children and Youth Delegation. Youth representatives from Ireland and Australia participated either in person or via video conference, sharing their experiences in youth empowerment and participation.
Commissioner Hollonds highlighted the vital role of Child Rights Monitoring Mechanisms, stating their aim is to “amplify the voices of children and youth.” She elaborated on how the Australian Human Rights Commission, through programs like ENGAGE, works alongside government bodies and youth individuals to tackle urgent issues such as the cost of living, mental health, and climate change while ensuring the perspectives of youth are prioritized. Bruce Adamson, Vice Chair of the Global Child Friendly Governance Project, further stressed the significant of monitoring and oversight for child rights, advocating for the support of youth in voicing their opinions, as they are the ones who possess the most profound understanding of their own experiences.
Director Ward of the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) shared the extensive consultation process involving 5,000 young individuals in creating a comprehensive child rights report for the UN. The report addressed pressing global issues like bullying, the impact of social media, and mental health, prompting the Irish government to revise its policies in response. Hon. Beda A Epres from the Philippines emphasized the critical need to educate young people about their rights, particularly those that are enshrined in the CRC. Victoria Diaz pointed out that under the Philippines Human Rights Commission’s constitutional mandate, the commission can investigate human rights violations even in the absence of formal complaints and highlighted their mission to assist youth in raising their voices through training courses.
During the two-day symposium, the participants not only delved into Child Rights Monitoring Mechanisms but also focused on the active role of youth in shaping public policy and empowerment strategies. Participants engaged in cross-culture exchanges while examining different countries’ approaches to issues such as student rights, the rights of children with disabilities, immigration, youth suicide, digital rights, child development, and the right to rest and leisure. This initiatives aims to broaden the horizons of Taiwan’s youth and ensure that their participation policies align with international standards.