UNICEF Launches Training Package on Child-Friendly Legal Services
In the intricate world of legal proceedings, the rights and voices of children often get sidelined. To address this gap, the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) has unveiled a groundbreaking Training Package on Child-Friendly Legal Services, building upon the 2018 UNICEF Guidelines on Child-Friendly Legal Aid.
Aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this initiative aims to ensure that children involved in the justice system receive compassionate, respectful, and rights-focused legal support. Whether as witnesses, victims, or accused, children deserve to have their rights upheld throughout the legal process.
The Training Package equips legal professionals with essential knowledge, attitudes, and skills to provide child-friendly legal services. Key features of the package include core modules covering children's rights, child development, communication, and privacy. Additionally, an optional module on strategic litigation is available, with plans for further expansion to meet evolving needs.
Designed for both seasoned practitioners and newcomers, the training emphasizes interactive learning and practical engagement to foster understanding and empathy. Rooted in the principles of the CRC, it prioritizes the child's right to be heard, non-discrimination, and the best interests of the child in all legal proceedings.
Tested and refined through training-of-trainers sessions across multiple countries, this package is poised to influence child-friendly legal aid practices globally, with a focus on serving vulnerable children.
For more information and access to the training package, please contact iverzivolli@unicef.org.
