Norway strengthens child rights in groundbreaking policy update
Lapset & nuoret
22 marras 2024
Norway has revised its policy framework to ensure that children's best interests are thoroughly evaluated before implementing new reforms. The updated instructions require policymakers to assess the potential impact on children and include them in decision-making processes. "This is a crucial step towards safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring their voices are heard in matters that affect them," says Mina Gerhardsen, The Ombudsperson for Children in Norway.
Norway has updated its policy framework, the Utredningsinstruks, to place greater emphasis on children’s rights and welfare. The Utredningsinstruks is a government tool that provides guidelines for thoroughly assessing the potential impacts of proposed policies, ensuring informed, well-grounded, and inclusive decision-making.
Decision-makers must now evaluate how proposed measures affect children, involve them in consultations, and consider their best interests as part of the decision-making process.
Stronger safeguards for children
Photo: Barneombudet
The revised guidelines are designed to address gaps identified during reforms such as school digitalisation, child welfare policies, and pandemic measures, where children’s needs were not adequately considered.
– The revisions mark an important step forward. The UN CRC article 3 and the Norwegian Constitution § 104 require that the best interest of the Child is a primary consideration in all decisions affecting children. Including this in the guidelines will ensure investigations that assess the impact on children’s lives, and make sure that the best interest of the child are given weight as a primary consideration, says Mina Gerhardsen, The Ombudsperson for Children in Norway.
Key changes include:
- Mandatory assessments of how reforms impact children.
- Clearer requirements for involving children in consultations.
- Strengthened focus on children’s rights in policies related to the European Economic Area (EEA) and crisis planning.
Tools to support implementation
To help public officials adapt to these changes, the Ombudsperson’s office has launched an e-learning course. This resource provides practical guidance on assessing children’s interests and ensuring meaningful participation.
The updated Utredningsinstruks is expected to enhance the quality of decisions impacting children and set a standard for integrating child rights into governance.
Making better decisions for the future
In our project Nordic co-operation on children and young people’s opportunities for participation and development during the Covid-19 pandemic we are highlighting the importance of including children in decision-making processes. When politicians and decision-makers act on behalf of children and young people, they must consider how these decisions affect them.
– The inclusion of this principle in Norway’s investigation procedures ensures decision-makers recognise their duty to evaluate the best interests of the child and involve them when possible. By embedding these principles in policymaking. Norway seeks not only to safeguard children’s rights but also to enhance the quality of decisions affecting future generations, says Merethe Løberg, senior adviser at the Nordic Welfare Centre.
