CREATING NEW FUTURES FOR ALL: CHILDREN, YOUTH, DISABILITY AND SITUATIONS OF FORCED MIGRATION

◊ RESPECT ◊ PROTECT ◊ PROMOTE ◊ BEST INTERESTS ◊ BEST PRACTICE ◊

SAVE THE DATE & CALL FOR PAPERS

28 - 30 November 2012

A Research Symposium initiative of The University of Sydney and One Billion Strong

This international symposium explores the intersection of three seminal instruments which set out a clear agenda for promoting and pursuing the inherent dignity and worth of all members of society. Children’s right to provision, protection, and participation are critical aspects of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), which aims to promote and protect the dignity, identity, safety and welfare of children. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and the Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (Refugee Convention and Protocol) provide frameworks for the protection, recognition and respect of two other groups widely recognised as being on the ‘margins’: persons with disabilities and refugees. 

Children in situations of displacement face a heightened risk of discrimination, disadvantage, exclusion and even physical and psychological abuse. This risk is magnified greatly by disability and exacerbated further by other factors such as age and gender, as well as by socio-economic and citizenship status. Even where resources are available to support displaced groups and/or those with disabilities, children and young people are more likely to be isolated and excluded and thus deprived of important services and facilities aimed at ensuring provision of their basic rights. Rarely are such children consulted on issues that affect them, and have few opportunities to contribute to community processes or the improvement of programs and services aimed at supporting them. 

The development of and support for human rights law in these areas has been a positive step towards improving the situation. However, there remains a very evident need to continue national and international dialogue around the most appropriate, respectful and effective ways to support and empower those children and young people most at risk of not realising their full human potential.

Creating New Futures for All will bring together leading academics and organisations specialising in children’s rights, refugee protection and disability. The conference 

goal is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and good practice around inclusion of children and young persons with disabilities and those displaced by 

war, conflict or disaster. With a target audience that includes both service professionals and policy makers, the initiative is designed to progress international 

dialogue around children’s rights, including in relation to initiatives such as UNICEF’s Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities and I am a Child Too campaign. 

The event also builds on the Shafallah Declaration on Crisis, Conflict and Disability undertaken at Qatar.