Relatively new among the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, Liverpool committed itself in March of 2019 to become a child-friendly city. Over fifty local schools took part in the event which will lead to a three to a five-year partnership with city officials. City officials say that the program will focus primarily on ensuring youth rights are fairly represented in policies, programs, and budgets laid out by the city.
The beginning of this journey to become child-friendly starts with what the city calls a “discovery phase”. This is a phase where city policymakers actively work with youth and young adults to understand what is important to their well-being as well as their personal development. The end goals of this phase are to identify three “badges” or areas which policymakers will prioritize. Examples of what areas might be prioritized are safety, education, and future employment.
Throughout this process, a representative from UNICEF’s Child-Friendly City Initiative will be performing reports on Liverpool’s progress. The representatives will be actively checking in to measure positive change within Liverpool’s youth while using testimonials from city youth to ensure this change is tangible. If Liverpool passes its checkups with UNICEF, “it will be internationally recognized as a UNICEF Child-Friendly City, joining cities and communities in 40 countries which are taking part in this global program”.
Positive Signs
Over July of 2019, the child-friendly initiative of Liverpool paired with the local charity Positive About Play. The goal of Positive About Play is to give local children more opportunities to be active and provide meals for children who wouldn’t be otherwise fed. Because the charity works so closely with youth in Liverpool, policymakers have teamed with the organization to be able to call Liverpool child-friendly. There are currently over fifty activities planned by Positive about play and the organization continues to plan more.
Takeaway Lessons
As compared to other cities taking on the child-friendly initiative, Liverpool is especially new to the game. Many cities which have taken part in this program have come up with physical changes which their cities have installed or implemented. Liverpool’s program is far too new for anything physical to be implemented, but it’s important to know where these programs start at.
New Orleans is in a very similar boat as Liverpool when it comes to this initiative. Liverpool currently has no grand plans or schemes which turn the city around in no time flat. Ture change which will be long-lasting and influential always has to shoot for long term goals as opposed to short bursts of effort. For the change we seek in New Orleans to have a long-lasting effect, starting small by truly understanding the community’s needs to where to start.
Sources:
https://www.lcvs.org.uk/give/positive-about-play/
https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/liverpool-takes-step-closer-to-becoming-unicef-child-friendly-city/
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/in-your-area/thousands-liverpool-children-positive-play-16137164
https://www.unicef.org.uk/press-releases/liverpool-kicks-off-bid-to-become-unicef-child-friendly-city/
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