National Child Strategy Unit to be established in Finland
Finland will set up a National Child Strategy Unit to promote a child- and family-friendly society that respect the rights of the child and to coordinate the implementation of the key policies of the Child Strategy.
On 1 September 2022, the Government agreed that EUR 0.5 million would be allocated for the establishment of a National Child Strategy function. This will ensure the continuity of the work related to the National Child Strategy across government terms.
The Child Strategy Unit to be established will promote the implementation of the Child Strategy on a cross-sectoral basis through the action plans of future governments. The key duties will include coordinating the work of the children’s rights network for the Child Strategy, ensuring the parliamentary connection, implementing and monitoring the Child Strategy and reporting on it, and coordinating and monitoring the European Child Guarantee. In addition, the Unit will be tasked with strengthening and promoting data collection on children, young people and families; training on the rights and inclusion of children; child impact assessment and child-oriented budgeting; and the inclusion of children.
The function will be located in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
“It is important to take children’s rights into account in all sectors of society. The new National Child Strategy Unit will work across administrative branches and in close cooperation with organisations and other civil society representatives,” says Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Aki Lindén.
“It is very important for the continuity of the Child Strategy that the funding is now confirmed and the Unit can be established. This will make it possible to continue the work on the National Child Strategy also during the coming government terms. What is essential for the implementation of the Child Strategy is to have the resources for long-term activities,” says Johanna Laisaari, Secretary General for the Child Strategy.
The aim of the National Child Strategy is a Finland for all children – a genuinely child- and family-friendly society that respect the rights of the child. The Strategy is based on fundamental and human rights treaties. The implementation of the Child Strategy started in late 2021.
Inquiries:
Johanna Laisaari, Secretary General for the National Child Strategy, [email protected], tel. +358 50 338 7576
Jenny Suominen, Special Adviser to Minister Lindén, [email protected], tel. +358 295 163 559