UNICEF's child-friendly municipality model

Imatra is involved in UNICEF's child-friendly municipality model.

The model helps municipalities make the right solutions for children's well-being in everyday services for children and in municipal administration. The goal is especially the realization of the rights of those in a weaker position. The model is based on the UN To the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

How does the model work?

With the help of the model, the municipality identifies in which areas of the child's rights it needs to develop.
The model helps the municipality define what it must do so that children's rights are realized in the municipality as thoroughly as possible.
In addition, the model helps the municipality to systematically monitor the progress of the work.

The work is led by a coordination group established in the municipality, which includes office holders from various branches of the municipality as well as representatives of children and youth, municipal decision-makers and the third sector.

The model therefore applies to the entire municipality, not only to municipal functions related to children and young people.

What are the goals of the model?

every child feels valued
every child can live in safety
every child can enjoy
every child has friends and a safe adult
every child has their voice heard
every child is taken into account in decision-making

Imatra's goals

The coordination group decided on Imatra's goals based on the initial survey of the current state in December 2022.

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

- The municipality's office holders, employees, trustees and key stakeholders have been familiarized with the rights of the child. The rights of the child are part of the municipality's orientation programs.

INTEREST OF THE CHILD

Children as a group: The municipality has clear guidelines to support the implementation and systematic implementation of Child Impact Assessment (LAVA). The assessment of child effects is done together by a group of qualified professionals.

THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND DEVELOPMENT

The municipality ensures that there is at least one safe adult in every child's life, whom the child can trust and who supports the child in growth and development.

A GOAL CHOSEN BY IMATRA CHILDREN

Services aimed at children prevent bullying and promote community. In addition, children's emotional and interaction skills are promoted in children's growth environments.

PARTICIPATION

When planning the urban environment, children's experiences and views are explored and taken into account. This is how it works in different stages of the process and in different planning tasks, such as land use planning and zoning and otherwise when planning public spaces.

If Imatra achieves the set goals, it will be granted the status of a child-friendly municipality. In general, recognition can be granted no earlier than about two years after the municipality has been accepted into the model.

UNICEF supports the achievement of the goals and monitors the realization of the goals

Lapsiystavallinekunta.fi Convention on the Rights of the Child