| please see the Powys Play Partnership blog at: http://powysplaypartnership.blogspot.co.uk/
PLAY WALES WELCOMES UNITED NATIONS COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PLAY
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| United Nations adopts in-depth interpretation of ‘forgotten’ child’s right The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has adopted a General Comment that clarifies for governments worldwide the meaning and importance of Article 31 of the Convention on the Right of the Child. A General Comment is an official statement that elaborates on the meaning of an aspect of the UNCRC that requires further interpretation or emphasis. The General Comment will define all elements of Article 31 and explain their importance in the growth and development of children and their impact on children’s overall wellbeing. Article 31 ensures that ‘State Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities … and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.’ The General Comment will provide guidance to the governments of the 192 countries (States Parties) that are signatories. The objectives of the General Comment are:
a) To enhance understanding of the importance of Article 31 for children’s well-being and development, and for the realisation of other rights in the Convention.
b) To provide interpretation to States parties with regard to the provisions, and consequent obligations, associated with Article 31.
c) To provide guidance on the legislative, judicial, administrative, social and
educational measures necessary to ensure its implementation for all children
without discrimination and on the basis of equality of opportunity.
Minister for Health and Social Services Lesley Griffiths said:
‘Wales is already leading the way on promoting children’s rights and the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The right for children to experience the freedom and enjoyment of play and recreational activities is of paramount importance to us. Recently we commenced the duty on our local authorities to assess the sufficiency of play opportunities in their local area. This is the first step in ensuring that we have places that are safe and freely available, for children to play, now and in years to come.’
Mike Greenaway, Director of Play Wales said:
‘We welcome the news that the United Nations has adopted the General Comment on Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. On the world stage Article 31 is often referred to as the most neglected or forgotten right. However, Wales is already taking a lead by legislating for children’s rights through the Rights of Children and Young Person’s (Wales) Measure 2011 which places a duty on Welsh Ministers to consider the rights of children when making policy and legislation decisions. The General Comment will further strengthen the understanding of the importance of play in children’s lives.’
The International Play Association (IPA) has taken a lead role in the development of the General Comment. The full document (and a summary produced by IPA) will be available in the next few weeks. More information from IPA |
| CHWARAE CYMRU YN CROESAWU YMRWYMIAD Y CU I HAWL PLANT I CHWARAE |
| Y cenhedloedd yn mabwysiadu dehongliad manwl o hawl ‘angof’ plant Mae Pwyllgor y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau’r Plentyn wedi mabwysiadu Sylw Cyffredinol sy’n egluro ystyr a phwysigrwydd Erthygl 31 o’r Confensiwn ar Hawliau’r Plentyn i lywodraethau ar draws y byd. Mae Sylw Cyffredinol yn ddatganiad swyddogol sy’n ymhelaethu ar ystyr elfen o GCCUHP sy’n galw am ddehongliad neu bwyslais pellach. Bydd y Sylw Cyffredinol yn diffinio pob elfen o Erthygl 31 ac yn egluro eu pwysigrwydd i dwf a datblygiad plant a’u heffaith ar les cyffredinol plant. Mae Erthygl 31 yn sicrhau bod ‘Partïon Wladwriaethau’n cydnabod hawl y plentyn i gael gorffwys a hamdden, i fwynhau chwarae a gweithgareddau adloniadol … ac i gyfranogi’n llawn mewn bywyd diwylliannol a’r celfyddydau.’ Bydd y Sylw Cyffredinol yn darparu arweiniad i lywodraethau’r 192 o wledydd (Partïon Wladwriaethau) sy’n lofnodwyr y Confensiwn. Amcanion y Sylw Cyffredinol yw:
a) I gyfoethogi dealltwriaeth am bwysigrwydd Erthygl 31 er lles a datblygiad plant, ac er mwyn cyflawni hawliau eraill a geir yn y Confensiwn.
b) I ddarparu dehongliad i Bartïon Wladwriaethau ynghylch y darpariaethau, a’r oblygiadau perthnasol, sy’n gysylltiedig ag Erthygl 31.
c) I ddarparu arweiniad ar y mesurau deddfwriaethol, barnwrol, gweinyddol, cymdeithasol ac addysgol sy’n angenrheidiol i sicrhau ei weithredu er mwyn pob plentyn, heb wahaniaethu ac ar sail cyfle cyfartal.
Dywedodd Lesley Griffiths, Y Gweinidog Iechyd a’r Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol:
‘Mae Cymru eisoes yn chwarae rhan flaenllaw wrth hyrwyddo hawliau plant ac erthyglau Confensiwn y Cenhedloedd Unedig ar Hawliau’r Plentyn. Mae’r hawl i blant brofi rhyddid a mwynhad chwarae a gweithgareddau adloniadol o’r pwys mwyaf inni. Yn ddiweddar fe wnaethom gychwyn y dyletswydd ar ein awdurdodau lleol i asesu digonolrwydd cyfleoedd chwarae yn eu hardaloedd lleol. Dyma’r cam cyntaf wrth sicrhau fod gennym fannau diogel, digonol i’n plant chwarae ynddynt, yn awr ac ymhen blynyddoedd i ddod.’
‘Rydym yn croesawu’r newydd bod y Cenhedloedd Unedig wedi mabwysiadu’r Sylw Cyffredinol ar Erthygl 31 o’r Confensiwn a’r Hawliau’r Plentyn. Ar y llwyfan byd-eang, cyfeirir yn aml iawn at Erthygl 31 fel yr hawl angof neu fwyaf esgeulusedig. Fodd bynnag, mae Cymru eisoes yn dangos y ffordd trwy ddeddfwriaethu ar gyfer hawliau plant trwy Fesur Hawliau Plant a Phobl Ifanc (Cymru) 2011 sy’n gosod dyletswydd ar Weinidogion Cymru i ystyried hawliau plant tra’n llunio penderfyniadau polisi a deddfwriaethau. Bydd y Sylw Cyffredinol yn atgyfnerthu ymhellach ein dealltwriaeth am bwysigrwydd chwarae ym mywydau plant.’
Mae'r International Play Association (IPA) wedi cymryd rôl blaenllaw yn natblygiad y Sylw Cyffredinol. Bydd y ddogfen (a chrynodeb a fydd yn cael ei gynhyrchu gan yr IPA) ar gael yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf. Rhagor o wybodaeth gan yr IPA |
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