How we did the CPAT in Finland
Children’s participation rights in Finland as summary of the Current State and Key Development Needs
oikeusministerio
The aim of the CPAT was to measure Finland's progress in ensuring the participation of children and young people under the age of 18 in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the child.
The Ministry of Justice set up a steering group to support and monitor the implementation of the CPAT process and to ensure the flow of information between the actors participating in the project. Children and young people were involved in the assessment with the help of NGOs.
The project steering group met regularly during its term of office (11.2.2019–31.1.2020). The steering group identified the issues and prioritisations for the assessment.
The recommendations of the CPAT Report were taken into account in the preparation of the National Democracy Programme and National Child Strategy.
The main findings included
- The national legislation on children’s right to participate is perceived as comprehensive but fragmented.
- Children do not get enough information on their right to participate.
- Authorities do not know enough about their duty to consult with children.
- There are shortcomings in the implementation of legislation on consultation/participation of especially children in vulnerable situations.
