Photo: Jussi Hellsten
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For the first time, UNICEF Finland has recognized Helsinki as a Child Friendly City, a milestone in the city’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s rights. This recognition comes after Helsinki joined the UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative in 2021, based on a council initiative. The program is rooted in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and aims to help cities identify areas for improvement and ensure children’s rights are upheld.
The city set several key goals for its initial participation in the initiative, including:
- Training staff, such as educators and youth workers, on children’s rights.
- Implementing clear guidelines for conducting child impact assessments in city decisions.
- Creating a systematic, child-friendly approach to gathering feedback on city services.
- Preventing bullying and promoting social inclusion in services aimed at children.
- Enhancing children’s and young people’s sense of safety in public spaces through improved interactions.
According to UNICEF, Helsinki has successfully educated city employees on children’s rights and developed a robust model for child impact assessments that are aligned with these rights. The city has also made significant progress in preventing bullying and promoting a sense of community among children. While Helsinki’s efforts to improve child safety in urban spaces are underway, UNICEF noted that more time is needed to measure tangible results.
UNICEF encourages Helsinki to continue expanding children’s participation in decision-making processes and to offer every city employee the opportunity to take part in training programs on children’s rights.
Mayor Juhana Vartiainen expressed his pride in receiving the recognition: “We are delighted to be acknowledged as a Child Friendly City. Our goal is for every child in Helsinki to grow and thrive in a safe, supportive environment. We remain committed to advancing children’s rights in collaboration with UNICEF.”
Helsinki is the first Nordic capital to receive this honor, which is valid for two years. The city will continue its efforts as part of its broader health and welfare initiatives, ensuring that children’s rights remain at the forefront of its policies and actions.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
