A new tool for equality? Evaluating the impact of human rights charters for young people

Abstract

Human rights are one of the most powerful ideas of our time and have the capacity to profoundly reshape our relationship with young people. This article explores the capacity of human rights charters — already implemented in the state of Victoria and in the Australian Capital Territory, and proposed for the rest of Australia — as a tool for critical youth work. It provides an accessible outline of their functions and capacities, and gives examples of case studies where charters have been used to right wrongs against young people. Despite these successes, however, charters are ultimately not a panacea for young people's problematic socio-legal status. Exploring the experience of Victoria, it becomes apparent that the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (2006) has not redressed damaging paternalism in policy, and has not catalysed a culture of human rights that would see all young people as valued, equal citizens. Realising young people's rights in a culture that so often renders their citizenship marginalised is a difficult task. This article argues that while they have not proved to be a silver bullet for youth advocates, charters may still lend strength to advocacy for equality.