Rights of the child issues internationally
The high living standards of children in Sweden and its view of and attitude to children, particularly its respect for the integrity of the child, mean that Sweden is seen as a leader in work for the rights of the child.
The high living standards of children in Sweden and its view of and attitude to children, particularly its respect for the integrity of the child, mean that Sweden is seen as a leader in work for the rights of the child.
Examples of Swedish action:
- participated actively in drawing up the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- made significant financial contributions to work in UNICEF and its research centre Innocenti in Florence
- assisted in producing a worldwide UN study on violence against children
- hosted the first World Congress on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Sweden is deeply involved in cooperation for the rights of the child in organisations such as the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Council of Europe and UNICEF. In its position at the head of these international cooperation bodies, Sweden initiated the following activities in 2008.
Nordic Council of Ministers
During the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2008, Sweden organised a number of seminars on the situation and living conditions of children. The seminars looked at children´s participation and influence in society, issues concerning violence and other child abuse and child-friendly justice systems. They were an initial part of a European conference on the rights of the child organised by Sweden as part of its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Council of Europe
During the Swedish chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2008 Sweden proposed a strategy entitled "Provision, protection and participation for children in Europe". The strategy aimed to develop the Council of Europe´s current programme "Building a Europe for and with children". It was discussed at a conference held in Stockholm on 8-10 September 2008. The objective is to coordinate Council of Europe initiatives for children from a child rights perspective based on the fundamental principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Swedish initiative led to the adoption of the Stockholm Strategy (November 2008), a strategy for work on children´s issues in the period 2009-2011, by the Council of Europes highest decision-making body.
UNICEF
Sweden has long cooperated with the United Nations Children´s Fund UNICEF and is one of its biggest donors. Sweden considers UNICEF´s work to strengthen children´s rights, fight poverty and support the most vulnerable children in the world very important. In 2008 Sweden was President of the Executive Board of UNICEF and worked to make the Board´s work more efficient and results-oriented. Sweden particularly wants to strengthen UNICEF´s efforts to protect children against violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking.
