On 25th July 2024, Welsh Government published their response to the UNCRC Committee’s recommendations, alongside a young people’s version of both documents.
Children in Wales’ policies, programmes and direct work with children and young people was recognised throughout the report, including the new Minister’s forward and introduction.
Sean O’Neill, Policy Director at Children in Wales in response to the report said:
“We welcome the Welsh Government’s response to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s recommendations published last year, which sets out the steps they’re currently taking, and will be taking, to fulfil their obligations to further the UNCRC and children’s rights in Wales. Alongside our members, we were pleased to have played a part in helping to shape their response, by providing advice and comments to earlier drafts through our Wales UNCRC Monitoring Group and our engagement as members of the Children’s Rights Advisory Group.
We’re especially pleased that the report acknowledges the valuable contributions made by our Young Wales volunteers during the reporting stage and since, as well as recognising much of our policy and programmes’ work with babies, children, young people and their families.
As our State of Children’s Rights in Wales report highlighted, there is much in Wales we can be proud of, and many achievements we should rightly applaud. However, our recommendations and those of the UN’s are a stark reminder to both the Welsh and UK Governments that further and faster progress is urgently needed if all babies, children and young people are to survive, thrive and flourish in Wales. We look forward to continuing to work with the Welsh Government, children and young people, our members and other decision makers to help make sure that this work leads to positive and lasting change”.
