Celebrating those that safeguard children on Universal Children's Day
This Monday marked the United Nations' (UN) Universal Children's Day, which was established in 1954, and is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children, and to improve children's welfare across the globe.
Beyond Sport believe that Children have the right to participate in sport in a safe and enjoyable environment in all communities around the world. Unfortunately, we know that in some communities this isn't always the case.
For the last ten years, Beyond Sport has celebrated, supported and funded sporting organizations that are using sport to acheive positive social change with the Beyond Sport Global Awards. The past few years, we have recognized a number of programs that are using sport to protect children with our UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award.
ChildFund Australia - Pass It Back (Australia, Laos, Philippines and Vietnam)
ChildFund Australia won this year's Safeguarding Children in Sport Award with their Pass It Back program. It is a wide-reaching sport for development initiative utilizing rugby to provide sport, leadership and life skills opportunities in safe spaces for marginalized children and young people in contexts with weak formal child protection services.
NSPCC - Child Protection in Sport Unit (UK)
The NSPCC won in 2016 with their Child Protection in Sport Unit that offers help to organizations through training and consultancy to make sport a safe and enjoyable experience for all young people. They work with Sports Councils, National Governing Bodies and County Sports Partnerships to help minimise the risk of child abuse during sporting activities.
Moving The Goalposts Kilifi – Kenya
Moving the Goalposts Kilifi won the award in 2015 for their community based organization that uses football to empower young girls in the rural and urban areas in Kenya, with a primary focus on sexual and reproductive rights, health and choices. Their goals is to have a more inclusive, just and peaceful world where girls’ and women’s human rights are realized and protected.
International Safeguards for Children in Sport
International Safeguards for Children in Sport was launched at the Beyond Sport Summit in Johannesburg in October 2014. It details eight safeguards that should be put in place by any organisation working with children in sport.
These safeguards are already being piloted by organisations all over the world and are set to be adopted more widely.
They reflect international declarations, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, relevant legislation, government guidance, existing child protection and safeguarding standards, and good practice.
The 8 safeguards are:
- Developing your policy
- Procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns
- Advice and support
- Minimising risks to children
- Guidelines for behaviour
- Recruiting, training and communicating
- Working with partners
- Monitoring and evaluating
Download the International Safeguards for Children in Sport here.
Download the International Safeguards for Organisations working with Children here.