Children & Young People Commissioner

The Children and Young People Commissioner is a position that is written into law and it is independent from the government. It is part of the ACT Human Rights Commission.

Jodie Griffiths-Cook is the Children and Young People Commissioner and one of her most important jobs is hearing from children and young people.

Hearing from children and young people

Children and young people are the experts in their own lives. Every child and young person is different. It is important to make sure that they have the chance to tell us about the things that are important to them, and to be involved in making decisions about things that are happening in their lives.

As well as having the right to have their views heard, children and young people also have the right to more protection because they are a child or young person. This means children and young people might need extra help to make sure their rights are as equally protected as those of adults.

2022 Consultation on Racism

This year CYPC is consulting Children and young people in the ACT about their experiences and opinions on racism. Hearing from C&YP about racism will help the Commissioner advocate for changes to benefit them, as well as help government and community sectors, and the ACT Human Rights Commission as a whole, respond to racism in ways that meet the needs of children and young people. The aims of the consultation are to:

1. Enable children and young people to tell their own truth about racism in the ACT through reflection, discussion and storytelling by individuals and within groups.
2. Investigate how children and young people identify themselves in terms of racial or cultural diversity (including the terms they prefer to use).
3. Find out who is speaking about race, racism and anti-racism and where these conversations are taking place.
4. Explore children and young people’s ideas on anti-racism in ACT, including their views on the strengths of children and young people to contribute to anti-racism.

Click on the graphic at the top of this page if you’d like to take part, or know children and young people that might want to have their say, or contact us at actkids@act.gov.au for more information.

Child safe and child friendly Canberra

Making sure children and young people can share their knowledge and experiences will help us to make sure that Canberra is both child-safe and child-friendly. This means children and young people are valued members of the community, their thoughts and opinions are respected, and there are opportunities for them to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

It also involves making sure their rights are defended and that they are protected. This is central to Jodie’s work as the Children and Young People Commissioner (CYPC).

The role of the CYPC includes

• promoting the rights of children and young people;
• consulting and talking with children and young people;
• encouraging other organisations to listen to children and young people, and take their views seriously when making decisions;
• providing advice to government and community agencies about how to improve services for children and young people.

The legislation that describes what we do is:

• The Human Rights Commission Act 2005

If you would like to know more, or you would like to talk with Jodie, contact us.

Phone: 02 6205 2222 or send an email.

Print this page