Children are Everyone’s Business A practical workbook to help companies understand and address their impact on children’s rights Pilot workbook unite for children © UNICEFNYHQ2010-0191/NOORANI [...]... guidance standards for business are key international declarations and agreements that enjoy widespread consensus, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which covers child labour issues, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the United Nations Convention against Corruption Both... preparation and consideration to make sure it is done in an appropriate way and to follow ethical standards that make it effective and meaningful for children and useful for the company Your company may want to work with local NGOs or community-based organizations to help organize safe, respectful and meaningful consultations with children (see the box that follows) HIGHLIGHT Companies should also consult... experts on children, such as national authorities working in areas relevant for children, the ombudsman office, national and international children s and human rights organizations, community organizations, UNICEF country offices and national committees, and other independent experts What is meaningful child participation? 4 Voluntary - Children are given choice to participate in dialogues they care about... be a concentrated focus on the positive role businesses can have on children, or on the considerable negative impact that business strategy and operations can have on children s lives As increasingly more companies assert strong and public positions on corporate social responsibility, it is essential that children are at the centre of the conversation and that their protection is seen as a relevant... you need to make a conscious decision that children s rights will be part of your company’s guiding sustainability framework and commit to building understanding and support for this initiative among staff 2 Assessing impacts on children s rights Analyse the context of your business operations and assess its impact on children and their rights In all phases of this process, draw on knowledge and experience... all business activities and facilities Ensure that products and services are safe ,and seek to support children s rights through them Use marketing and advertising that respect and support children s rights Respect and support children s rights in relation to the environment and to land acquisition and use Respect and support children s rights in security arrangements Help protect children affected by... activities Relevant - Children are consulted in ways that are appropriate to their capacities and make them feel comfortable Child-friendly - Adequate time and resources are made available to ensure that children are prepared and have the confidence and opportunity to contribute their views Consideration is given to the fact that children of different ages need differing levels of support and forms of involvement... for children that are based on the core activities of your business, their impacts on children and the investments that will advance children s rights Chapter 3 3 Integration and action for children • In situations where adverse impacts on children s rights have been identified, consider establishing a grievance mechanism (see section 5) and a dedicated person such as a corporate Ombudsman for Children. .. obligations to ensure implementation of the children s rights policy As a starting point, you could mandate a person or team to analyse how children relate to your business and champion a strategic corporate approach to children Ultimately, as many people across your business may need to consider children in their work (e.g., in strategy and leadership, human resources, research, marketing, operations and manufacturing... company’s impact on children, analysing and prioritizing the actions, systems and policies it needs to put in place and how to measure and report on the results of these actions Chapter 3 – whatever its sector context or operations – to help translate its responsibility elaborate on the different impact areas of business activities on children, according to specific sectors, operations and areas of business . Children are Everyone’s Business A practical workbook to help companies understand and address their impact on children s rights Pilot workbook unite. advertising that respect and support children s rights Respect and support children s rights in relation to the environment and to land acquisition and