October 4 2010
Young people are changing the rules of leaving care
04/10/2010 - SOS Children’s Villages has published an interim evaluation report of the "I matter" campaign, to assess achievements and failures, lessons learnt, and set out measures that still need to be taken.
Since the launch of the I Matter campaign in January 2009, activities have been taking place across many different countries, each contributing to the campaign’s success. Now it is time to take stock of the campaign’s progress and look at what lies ahead. SOS Children’s Villages has published an interim evaluation report, to assess achievements and failures, lessons learnt, and set out measures that still need to be taken.
In general, progress has been good. Much has been done to gather and share information on the situation of young people leaving care. Briefing papers were published, events were organised in many countries, and an international analysis on the situation of young people leaving care was conducted.
A major campaign success was the creation of an International Youth Council, which is made up of more than 25 young people with care experience. They participate at international events acting as ambassadors of the I Matter campaign. Additionally, in many participating countries, national youth networks have been established.
Progress has also been made to change legislation and practice on leaving care. In some countries campaign activities have already had an impact on the national political agenda. For example, in the Czech Republic an amendment to the law on social and legal protection was drafted and proposed in parliament. At an international level, SOS Children’s Villages has contributed to international human rights monitoring mechanisms, in particular informing the Human Rights Council in Geneva on the situation of young people leaving care.
Because information matters, young people matter and rights matter, the next phase of the campaign will build on achievements and successes in order to push forward changes in policy and practice for young people leaving care.