Istituto degli Innocenti at the Inauguration of the National Observatory on Childhood and Adolescence

The inaugural meeting of the National Observatory on Childhood and Adolescence was held today in Rome. The Istituto degli Innocenti of Florence, represented by its Chairwoman Maria Grazia Giuffrida, is one of the member organisations of the Observatory. The inauguration took place at the headquarters of the Department for Family Policies.

One of the topics discussed at the meeting was the operational modalities of the Observatory and the European Child Guarantee.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairwoman of the Institute, Maria Grazia Giuffrida, argued the need to “foster a new pact of shared responsibility between institutions, civil society and families to ensure that new generations receive the attention and commitment they deserve. For this reason, too, today we cannot fail to have a look of renewed optimism for the work that awaits us and to which the Istituto degli Innocenti is, as always, prepared to bring into play all its technical, scientific and operational potential. Over the years, we have learnt the importance of offering knowledge to support policy development processes and their monitoring. I am thinking - Giuffrida specified - of knowledge linked to up-to-date reflections from the world of scientific research. I am thinking of knowledge linked to new legislation; and I am thinking - last but not least - of the importance of having certain and verified data as necessary elements for interpreting the phenomena that accompany children’s lives and their welfare prospects. On these aspects in particular, I am happy to confirm our Institute’s full willingness to assist, hoping that our contribution can more effectively support the fulfilment of the work programme that Minister Roccella will assign to us starting today and in the coming weeks”.

What the National Observatory is and what it does

The National Observatory for Childhood and Adolescence is composed of approximately 50 members representing the various central administrations responsible for this field, the Regions and local authorities, Istat (the Italian National Institute of Statistics), social partners, institutions and bodies of major importance in this sector. The Observatory has the task of preparing official documents on childhood and adolescence, in particular:

• The biennial national plan of action and interventions for the protection of the rights and development of people of developmental age;
• The biennial report on the condition of children in Italy and the implementation of their rights;
• The outline of the Government's report to the UN on the implementation of the 1989 International Convention on the Rights of the Child.