Climate action and the uncrc: a “postpaternalist” world where children claim their own rights

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files
youth-04-00088-v2.pdf(334.37 KB)
Published Version
Date
2024
Authors
Daly, Aoife
Maharjan, Nabin
Montesinos Calvo-Fernández, Esther
Muller, Liesl Heila
Murray, Emily Margaret
O’Sullivan, Alicia
Paz Landeira, Florencia
Reid, Katie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
In this paper, it is argued that we are in a ‘postpaternalist’ era for children’s rights, involving grassroots action from children (for the first time, on a global scale) rather than well-meaning adults ‘giving’ children their rights. Child/youth climate action has involved under-18s acting for the environment through grassroots protest, media work and lobbying. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has arguably to date been approached in a paternalist way, whereby children need adults to help them to access rights. Yet, child/youth climate advocates have taken their own action, and demand equality as they enter rights spaces. They are frequently working with adults as equals and allies in litigating climate cases, for example. It is argued that (although there are rights challenges in a postpaternalist time) these young rights leaders have transformed human rights for the better, and adults should facilitate their work in a way that is child- and youth-friendly.
Description
Keywords
Postpaternalism , UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) , Youth climate action , Climate cases , Right to a healthy environment
Citation
Daly, A., Maharjan, N., Montesinos Calvo-Fernández, E., Muller, L., Murray, E., O’Sullivan, A., Paz Landeira, F. and Reid, K. (2024) ‘Climate action and the uncrc: a “postpaternalist” world where children claim their own rights’, Youth, 4(4), pp. 1387–1404. https://doi.org/10.3390/youth4040088
Link to publisher’s version