Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing Policy | | Movimento Globale per i Diritti dell’Infanzia

Defence for Children Italia, as part of the global Defence for Children International movement and as a member of the Child Friendly Justice European Network (CFJ-EN), the European Guardianship Network (EGN), the Keeping Children Safe Network, and the International Social Service (ISS), undertakes concrete actions to promote the rights, wellbeing, and participation of all children and young people. Defence for Children Italia is committed to respecting and promoting the Convention on the Rights of the Child in all its actions and initiatives, working towards a cultural shift that regards all children and young people as full rights holders, fully opposing discrimination of any kind.

Defence for Children Italia sees the participation of children and young people as a central element of its work and as a cross-cutting issue in all its activities. In all projects and actions, Defence for Children Italia envisages the participation and involvement of children and young people, not only in a consultative manner but also collaboratively and through initiatives led directly by them. We promote rights-based education paths for children and young persons in different situations, involving them in consultations, trainings, events and activities; we support child-led initiatives, engaging children in project and activity planning and implementation. We include children and young persons from a very broad range of backgrounds, and in many cases in situations of particular vulnerability, such as children involved in criminal proceedings, non-accompanied or separated children and children with migratory backgrounds. When consulting or involving children and young persons in activities, projects or initiatives, Defence for Children Italia adopts approaches and methods sensitive to the diversity of the younger generations and their aspirations and needs.

The purpose of this policy is not only to safeguard children and young persons from any harm they may encounter during the activities they undertake but also to actively promote their rights, with a particular focus on their participation rights, and their wellbeing.

This Child Safeguarding Policy (2023) is the result of updates and consultations with national and international stakeholders and is informed by girls and boys who have participated in our activities over the years and is in accordance with Defence for Children International Movement’s Child Safeguarding Standards and Guidelines.

Safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young people are integral to Defence for Children Italia’s mission. For several years, we have been raising awareness, disseminating and supporting the development and adoption of appropriate Child Safeguarding Policies and procedures. We also organise integrated training programs for professionals, and we actively support legislative proposals in this field at both the regional and national levels.

For any information on the Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing Policy and activities, please contact the Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing Officer, Caterina Parodi: caterina@defenceforchildren.it