The course objective is to analyze programmatic and policy approaches designed to improve children’s and adolescents’ lives around the world. Development policies will be debated using the human rights-based approach in developing and developed countries. Key questions addressed during the course will include: Why do so many millions of children and adolescents suffer from deprivation, poverty, abuse, despair, violence, voicelessness and discrimination? Why are inequality and inequity so extreme? Why and how do class, gender and race disparities affect children from birth? Why do millions of children and families experience trafficking, child prostitution and child pornography while lacking essential health and other services? Were pre-pandemic inequalities exacerbated because of COVID-19; what are the pandemic’s long lasting effects on children and adolescents, especially those living in poverty; and what can be done to address these issues globally, nationally and locally? UNICEF senior experts and child rights practitioners will participate as course speakers, sharing their experiences and visions for resolving child and adolescent inequities. Discussion of The International Bill of Human Rights (1948) and The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) will be included. Through active class participation and debate, students will derive practical learning about rights, policies, programs and issues affecting children, families and communities. Students will complete the course with enhanced knowledge that is directly applicable to their public, nonprofit and private sector careers. .

The objective of this course is to analyze the situation of children, adolescents and families living in poverty in urban areas. We will review programmatic approaches that are designed to reduce poverty and inequality. The course will merge conceptual and practical knowledge by following two complementary tracks. First, analyzing conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches that measure poverty and inequality, along with relevant social policies to alleviate urban poverty and exclusion, especially for children and adolescents. Second, design and carry out a practical project related to ways of confronting adolescents and youth who are living in poverty in New York City. Using New York City as a case study, students will explore the work that one non-governmental organization (NGO), A Chance in Life, is implementing in Staten Island to address poverty and marginalization among adolescents and young people. This course combines various digital formats, including lectures, guest speakers, field work, student-led discussions and student presentations on themes related to “child-centered program” case studies. Students will emerge at the end of the semester with enhanced knowledge to apply in their careers going forward in the public, nonprofit or private sector.