Having international influence to drive change for children at the very highest level is not simply an ambition for Strathclyde’s Institute for Inspiring Children’s Futures (IICF), it is their very raison d’être.
As one of Strathclyde’s centres dedicated to improving the lives and outcomes of children and young people, IICF’s reach extends right around the world. Supporting and influencing the development of policies which acknowledge and protect children’s wellbeing, human rights and access to justice is at the very heart of all of IICF’s international work. What’s more, that work is designed specifically to align with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, helping to deliver on Strathclyde’s own 2030 Strategy.
Commitment to children
A critical element of IICF’s work aims to increase the appetite for, and sustain the commitment to children globally. The IICF team has an impressive track record working across the concentric circles of influence when it comes to children and young people - from the very highest echelons of national and international governmental policymaking, to making links to individual children’s day-to-day experiences. One important project which the team have been working on since 2018 supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Goal 16 (SDG16) to achieve Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. IICF leads the international multi-agency SDG16 Working Group which focuses on the realisation of Justice for Children.
These international discussions about justice for children are not solely about criminal justice systems, but about social justice, exploring ways in which children and young people are treated with dignity, fairness, respect and equality. In all of its work, IICF is committed to championing adoption of policies and practices which will support lasting social justice – because without it, progress for children – and all of society - will be seriously undermined.
IICF’s role as an independent, academically rigorous organisation is crucial when it comes to convening key leaders and partners - including even the more reluctant ones - to recognise the benefits of prioritising children in national policies, and for institutions to be more accountable to children. Partners range from United Nations agencies, the OECD and government ministers, to international charities like the Defence for Children International and Terres des Hommes. IICF’s collaborations extend to rural charities, advocacy NGOs, professional development agencies and service delivery organisations. To date, IICF have worked with 6 continents and 34 countries, and the tally continues to rise.
Champion the inclusion of children
A hugely important element of that work is to champion the inclusion of children themselves in policymaking and implementation. IICF and partners help to facilitate a challenge to power dynamics, by supporting children to be at the table, to share their experiences, ideas for change and policies which affect them. While speaking to adults about the children in their lives is often necessary, it is insufficient to understand children as agents of change with their own agency, rights and inspired ideas.
Given that the world is in huge socio-economic and geo-political upheaval, for IICF this drive for social justice - with and for children - is critical if we are serious about supporting the world’s least seen or heard and most marginalised young citizens in the long term.