Kind met recht specializes in the following subjects.
Refugee children
Millions of people worldwide, including children, are on the move. They leave their houses and their homes in search of safety, either alone or together with their families. It is a mere fraction of this number that applies for asylum in the Netherlands and ends up in an asylum seekers’ centre. In September 2016, over 8000 children, aged 0-18, were housed in one of the COA asylum seekers’ centres. Research shows that it is not self-evident that the situation of these children in the Netherlands is in accordance with their rights. Kind met recht specializes in this field.
Children in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Over 90.000 children are growing up in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Since 2010, Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten have been autonomous countries, while Bonaire, St. Eustasius and Saba have become part of the Netherlands. Studies show that the situation of the children growing up on these six islands does not yet conform to the criteria of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this field, Kind met Recht offers extensive expertise.
Youth participation
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is very clear about a child’s right to youth participation: we should not talk about children (as an object of care), but we should talk to them. Children are legal personalities, holding legal rights. Children should be able to participate in and contribute to society. They must be allowed to have the opportunity to do so in a way fitting to their age and development. Children are the main source of insight into the situation of a child. Kind met recht has considerable experience in the shaping of youth participation in decision-making processes, research, symposia, etc. Kind met recht prevents ‘window-dressing’ and involves children in a responsible, respectful, fun and effective way.
Children’s rights
Kind met recht has extensive knowledge of and experience with the broad field of children’s rights. Several examples can be found below.
UN Convention of the Rights of the Child
In 1989, the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty on children’s rights. The CRC is the most frequently ratified human rights treaty in the world. The Netherlands adopted the CRC in 1995. Every five years, the government of the Netherlands reports to the UN children’s rights committee with regard to the way the CRC is put into practice.
Child trafficking
Child trafficking is a serious violation of the CRC that occurs worldwide. Children are forced into prostitution or work in agriculture, service industry or housekeeping. They are deprived of an education and the chance to develop as a child. Child trafficking occurs in the Netherlands too, also amongst children who seek refuge.
Poverty
In both the European and Caribbean part of the Netherlands, there are children who grow up in poverty. They do not have access to the most basic children’s rights such as food, sports, healthy living conditions and participation. In addition, other rights such as education and healthcare are not available to them. Children who grow up in poverty fall behind and have less opportunities.
Children and armed conflicts
Wars have a devastating effect on the lives of children. Societies are fractured, the development of children is heavily disrupted and people are forced to flee. Even after a conflict has been concluded, its effects are long lasting and tangible. Moreover, the effects are amplified by the use of landmines and cluster munitions in a significant number of such conflicts. Unexploded ordnances remain in and around villages, killing and wounding the local population. Children are particularly vulnerable. Despite the prohibition to do so, children are used in armed conflict. Either in combat, cooking or prostitution.
Decision-making and organisation
The improvement of the situation of vulnerable groups of children often demands a new approach. This ranges from explicating intentions and new policies, through effective decision-making to real improvements.
| Kind met recht unites Karin Kloosterboer’s extensive expertise and Arnout Esser’s years of experience in: | ||
| • | Initiating networks and partnerships. | |
| • | Guiding complex decision-making. | |
| • | Counselling and supporting organisational change and development. | |
Moreover, Kind met recht has extensive experience operating within (semi) government, small and large for-profit and non-profit organisations.