street rights
we advocate on their behalf.
Our “street
rights” program puts front and center our key role as advocates
and educators on the rights of street kids. We challenge governments,
public officials and ordinary citizens alike to see the economic
potential of street kids in their communities. We advocate the importance
of strategic investments in youth and influence funding and program
priorities on both a national and international level.
When street kids are unable to access needed health care because they have no parent or other adult to vouch for them, are unable to attend school because they have no birth record, are prevented from earning a livelihood because they are under some arbitrary age, or are imprisoned for working or because they have no place to live, the importance of putting a spotlight on what we call “Street Rights” is evident. We try to bring critical thinking and attention to the very distinct needs and rights of youth who are no longer children in need of protection but young adults in need of ownership of their lives and futures. We do this by speaking out with our message in many forums, and with many audiences recognizing that shifting thinking and policy in such a significant way requires a multifaceted approach.
