Raising the Youth Justice Age

Challenge 2000’s Director Steve O’Connor was very happy to join forces with representatives from 29 other organisations committed to social justice and youth care, as well as notable law academics, to urge the government to include 17 year olds in the youth justice system [http://justspeak.org.nz/3246-2/].

 

The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which New Zealand is a party, defines a child as a person below the age of 18 [http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx].

 

This convention cites the special care to which children are entitled, and the necessary protection and assistance they must be afforded, so as to be fully prepared for a responsible and independent life in society. It states that children should be brought up in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity. The reality in Aotearoa New Zealand is that some children are not brought up in this spirit, they are denied this special care and protection, and they are not properly prepared for a sustainable life in society. We need to respond to this and make amends, not only for the sake of our commitment to this convention, but for our own sake – for the wellbeing of our present and future society.

 

The good news is that we are doing so, and we at Challenge 2000 are grateful to be part of such a dynamic network of organisations (listed as signatories to the above open letter) committed to this crucial work.

 

We are also aware of how fortunate we are to have such a creative and constructive youth justice system, which Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft describes as one of the most effective in the world. Such an environment addresses youth offending in a way which is consistent with the needs and rights of children. It offers a more responsive approach, which addresses underlying issues and creates opportunities to resolve these issues. Indeed, the evidence clearly shows that this reduces crime and reoffending [see Trends in youth apprehension: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/84216875/stacey-kirk-raising-the-youth-justice-age-has-to-happen–so-whats-the-holdup].

 

The bad news is that, inexplicably, we are still excluding 17 year old children from this system, and in doing so we are acting without regard for their needs and rights, and ultimately to our own detriment. We are also acting in disregard of our commitment to protecting and providing for the rights of children. Specifically, the convention requires that we recognise the right of every child dealing with infringement of the law to be treated in a manner consistent with their sense of dignity and worth, which takes into account their age, and prioritises their reintegration into the community.

 

Plainly, the exclusion of 17 year olds from the youth justice system fails to do so.

 

This is in breach of the convention and it rejects the spirit of dignity, tolerance and equality; it is also inconsistent with our otherwise genuine commitment to youth care in Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Queensland recently extended their youth jurisdiction to include 17 year olds, and was the last Australian state or territory to do so. According to Becroft, “With Queensland raising the age, it means we are out of step with all of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and all but seven states in the US – most of the world in fact.” It is high time that we follow suit, and reclaim our sense of care and respect for children and their needs and rights, as a country.

 

Youth crime and its causes and effects are complex. Challenge 2000 attempts to work with young offenders, their whanau, victims of crime and the community in a positive, restorative, considered and proactive way.

 

We are often prevented from continuing to support young people who are in trouble, because of lack of financial and people resources.

If you would like to support us then please contact Steve or Daniel on 044776827 or email challenge2000@xtra.co.nz.

Express Yourself – Music Holiday Programme

Music brings life, much joy and laughter, we love it at Challenge 2000 so what better way to continue on with our holiday programmes than to make some seriously good noise with a day of musical adventuring!

With a range of experience from beginners to maestros, 22 young people and Challenge staff met at Newlands Community Centre loaded with enthusiasm ready to give it a go.
We formed the worlds most amazing ukelele band. Those who could play helped those who couldn’t, and we managed to play two entire songs that sounded both hilarious and awesome. For some, this has inspired a new love of the humble ukelele . ( No joke!)
The joy of making sound together continued with bucket drumming and rhythm games. Using skills of tuning in and listening together we made coherent noise! This was a fantastic experience, and it seemed we could easily be street performers with our loud pleasing sound.
In the afternoon, time was dedicated to performance.  We were inspired by the way people encouraged each other, worked together, practiced and supported each other.  For some this was this very first time to get up in front of others to play or sing and to see and hear the young people get up and perform was something truly special.  The talent was amazing.
Thank you so much to the young people and staff who got involved in the day. And a special thanks to Raroa Intermediate and St Catherine’s College for supplying extra ukeleles.  This day highlighted that music is powerful, and that creativity is in all of us, and when supported and believed in we can do things we never imagined!

Orongorongo Valley Tramping

The Challenge 2000 school holiday festivities have begun!

For the first adventure of the holidays, two Challenge 2000 staff members and eight young women cautiously agreed to brave the Rimutaka Forest Park on an overnight tramping expedition, which was for most, their first experience of this kind.

With of our basic survival needs on our backs, we set afoot on a three-hour journey ahead. We learned about our native surroundings. We ate Supple-Jack vine and Kawakawa leaves along the way (rest assured, this was as well as apples and muesli bars) and learned about basic survival skills for being out in the bush.

Our bags were heavy and the girls became tiresome, so arriving at Turere Lodge in the afternoon was an exciting affair. Propped up on the riverbank with a majestic view up the river valley, we were feeling rewarded after a hard slog. The girls settled in and we made the place home for the night.

The girls led the way through an interesting team building activity in the evening trying to thread each member of our crew through a spider’s web (see photos). This helped each member of the group realize the way they function as a part of a team and ultimately brought the group closer together.

At 8.00pm a Search and Rescue Helicopter landed practically in our own back yard (not for us… whew!) to rescue some Boy Scouts who had lost their way up the river. Thankfully, the boys were all safe and unharmed. This was an added bonus for our group who reveled in the excitement of it all once we were sure that everybody was okay.

We then shared a candlelit dinner and reflected on the excitement and struggles of the day before we tucked ourselves into our sleeping bags to rest up before the big walk out the next day.

Until the next adventure…

September School Holiday Programmes

These holidays Challenge 2000 has lots going on for our children and rangatahi!!!

Activities include a sports day at ASB, music day at Newlands Community Centre, Water fun day at Keith Spry pool, 2 overnight tramps for young women, little children’s day at Westpac Stadium, Swimming and sliding at H2O Xtream, Adrenaline Forest challenge and holiday programmes in the Wairarapa for two days!

AND

Day of service supporting the Elderly, Refugee house preparation and general missions

All our holiday programmes are designed to ensure:

Growth                                                          New Experiences

Fun              Group building

Development                                Cultural and other awareness

Confidence Building

Our staff and volunteers spend a lot of time making sure the days are awesome!

Interested: Book now: Ring Megan on 0276 844 444. Many are already booked out, but we do have a waitlist.

Also we need YOU to sponsor some children – for $30 per day YOU can help someone have a great holiday NOW!

Call Challenge 2000 on 04 477 6827 or direct credit 01-0519-0057660-00 ref: Holiday Fun

Thanks and Happy Holidays!!

September Conference in Brisbane

Ten Challenge 2000 young people travel to Brisbane for a Youth Ministry and Development Conference this week.

For the Gap Students involved, it completes their month long placement – quite an adventure!!

Here are the team leaving Wellington and visiting LOGOS, our sister organisation, in Auckland this morning before they head off.

Safe travels and learn lots!!