International Framework
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) must operate in a global context and framework, provided primarily through its membership of the United Nations, the European Union and the Council of Europe.
International human rights norms ratified by Ireland, in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and The Hague Convention on Adoption, provide a framework for domestic policy and practice relating to children’s rights. For example, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child spells out the basic human rights to which children everywhere are entitled, including the right to survival, the right to the development of their full physical and mental potential, the right to protection from influences that are harmful to their development, and the right to participation in family, cultural and social life.
In order to meet our external obligations a priority activity between 2012 and 2014 is to ensure that arrangements are in place to support the DCYA to meet its external obligations in relation to children and youth. This will be achieved by:
- Preparation and submission of Ireland’s 3rd and 4th combined reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and other international commitments met, including on adoption;
- Active participation in International fora/networks relating to children.
- Active role in the development of EU youth policy, including participation in Council of Europe/EU Youth Working Group Party meetings, participation in ‘Youth in Action Programme 2007-2013’ and preparation for the advancement of youth issues during Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the EU in 2013;
- Preparation for and undertaking of DCYA’s role in EU Presidency 2013;
- Promotion of North/South cooperation in the area of child and family services and Youth Justice Services through -
• completion of existing work programme
• identification of new areas of cooperation.
Links to relevant EU and International websites:
DCYA – UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - Information Page
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
European Commission Website for Children’s Rights
