Make it Right - The Way Forward

Introduction from the Commissioner

Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley-Mooney hosted NICCY's Inaugural Annual Children's Rights Event on November 20th 2012.

Efforts are continuing across the UK devolved administrations to enshrine the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into various aspects of domestic law. We hope that eventually, our work and the work of others will lead to child’s rights legislation in Northern Ireland which can safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people.

You can view the Commissioner's YouTube introduction to the event by clicking the link below.

You can also find out more by reading the press release here.

Voices of Young People

The conference was opened with delegates hearing from young people and those who work with young people, about some of their experiences of children's rights.

The Commissioner with Darren and Matt Crozier from Include Youth at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Conference on 20 Nov 2012

The Commissioner with Darren and Matt Crozier (Young Voices Coordinator) from Include Youth

Ruth Allum from Childline speaking at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Conference

Ruth Allum, a volunteer counsellor, sharing her experiences of supporting young people through Childline

There was also a video about Thomas and how he was supported by Mencap though his journey of moving from school to college. You can view the YouTube video using the link below:

Message from the Minister

Junior Minister, Jennifer McCann MLA, was unable to attend the event but recorded a piece to camera that was played at the event.

You can view the YouTube video of the message at the link below:

Event Speakers

Speakers at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Event 20 Nov 2012 The conference was addressed by Kirsten Sandberg from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, with her views on the current state of children's rights. Also presenting was the Republic of Ireland's Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan days after the RoI held their referendum on Children's Rights. Former Welsh First Minister the Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan and Scottish Commissioner Tam Bailie also outlined their experiences of bringing children's rights to the top of government's agenda.

Commissioner at NICCY's Annual Event 20 Nov 2012

Speech by the Commissioner - you can view the speech here (pdf) and also read it in MS Word format here

Kirsten Sandberg speaking at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Event on 20 November 2012

Presentation from Kirsten Sandberg - you can view the PowerPoint presentation here

NICCY Chief Executive, Mairead McCafferty speaking at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights event on 20 November 2012

Speech by Mairead McCafferty - you can view the speech here (pdf) and also read it in MS Word format here

Emily Logan speaking at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Event on 20 November 2012

Speech from Emily Logan - you can view the speech here (pdf) and also read in in MS Word format here

Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan speaking at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Event on 20 November 2012

Speech from Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan - you can view the speech here (pdf) and also read in in MS Word format here

Scottish Commissioner Tam Baillie speaking at NICCY's Annual Children's Rights Event on 20 November 2012

Scottish Children's Commissioner, Tam Baillie speaking at the event

What is happening next?

In the New Year a detailed report on the day’s proceedings, including the roundtable discussions will be published here on the web site. If you want to be kept up to date on this and other NICCY work please contact us at communications@niccy.org.

Later in 2013, as part of our ongoing work programme I will be publishing proposals on the way forward to creating Child’s Rights Legislation in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a joint project between Queen’s University, Belfast and NICCY, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Remember you can also follow me on Twitter at 'nichildcom'