The City of Oulu is officially UNICEF's Child-Friendly City. UNICEF Finland has granted the City of Oulu three Child-Friendly City recognitions, in December 2017, February 2020 and February 2024. The latest recognition is valid for four years.
Oulu has been part of the UNICEF's Child-Friendly City operation model since 2016. The Child-Friendly City operation model is used in all city service branches and administration. Children and young people have an important role in the development work.
UNICEF's Child-Friendly City operation model
UNICEF's Child-Friendly Municipality operation model is based on the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child and its four basic principles: 1) non-discrimination and equality 2) best interest of the child as a priority 3) the inherent right to life and development and 4) respect for the views of the child.
The operation model helps municipalities make right decisions concerning children's well-being and children's rights, both in children's everyday services and in municipal administration.
A Child-Friendly City's aim is that:
- Children are equal municipal residents. They are ensured equal opportunities to participate.
- Children can plan, evaluate and develop municipal services.
- Children and adults receive information on children's rights. Children and young people are encouraged to act in the civic society and feel themselves valued members of society.
- The municipality promotes children's rights in its decision making, administration and services.
- Children’s knowledge on their own everyday life and evaluating child impact is utilized in the municipality's decision making and in developing the municipality.
- Any measures concerning children are visible in the city economy.
Read more about UNICEF's Child-Friendly Cities model in Finland by clicking this link (in Finnish).