Do you know the rights of young people?
Helsinki is committed to promoting equality, non-discrimination and human rights in all its operations. The City of Helsinki aims at being a city where all lifestyles and opinions may co-exist peacefully. In everyday life, the realisation of human rights is reflected in a variety of ways, e.g. health services, free school meals, safety, the right to vote in elections, the opportunity to express your opinion and the provision of income support.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasises special status of children and young people
The international UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was drafted in order to promote the rights of children and young people. The Convention recognises that as people who are still developing, children and young people have a special right to protection and care. It is the responsibility of adults to ensure that young people are aware of their rights and that they are realised in the lives of all young people.
For the purposes of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a child. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines the rights of young people according to four principles:
-Young people must not be discriminated against.
-The interests of young people must be given due weight.
-Young people have a right to life and development.
-The young person’s view must be respected.
-It is the responsibility of adults to ensure that young people are aware of their rights and that they are realised in the lives of all people.
In Finland, the implementation of the Convention is promoted and monitored by the Ombudsman for Children, for example. Finland and other states party to the Convention regularly report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Helsinki is a UNICEF Child Friendly City
Helsinki has been officially recognised as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. In a Child Friendly City, the rights of children and young people are realised as well as possible in the lives of all young people, and young people have the opportunity to participate and make a difference in issues that matter to them.
We at the City of Helsinki work every day to make Helsinki a better place for children and young people. In Helsinki, everyone under the age of 18 has the right to participate and be heard in all matters that concern them. There are many ways to make a difference, participate and express your ideas and wishes to the city. Discover different ways to get involved and make a difference.
In 2025–2028, our Child Friendly Cities Initiative work will be focusing on the following, in particular:
-We will improve the competence of professionals working with children and young people and their understanding of the rights of children and young people.
-When preparing decisions, we will assess their impact on children and young people.
-We will strengthen professionals’ skills for identifying, preventing and addressing violence against children.
-We will improve opportunities for children and young people to participate in urban environment planning.
-We will work to foster children’s and young people’s safety and safe encounters with adult
Important links
Summary of the rights of young people (in Finnish)
What to do if your rights are violated? (in Finnish)
Children’s Rights Week is celebrated every November
The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (in Finnish)
Helsinki continues Child-Friendly Cities Initiative work with new targets
Helsinki Child Friendly Cities Initiative work and contact details