Finding Out

3 May 2007 News

THE Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley, today began work to examine children’s rights, three years after ground-breaking research helped set the office’s priorities.

In 2004 research commissioned by NICCY from Queen’s University, Belfast assisted in putting in place the Commissioner’s office’s corporate plan and work over the three years.

Between today and the end of August new research will take a snapshot of progress since the 2004 research.

“We will be doing a variety of activities to find out how rights for children and young people have progressed over the past three years,” said Ms Lewsley. “My team will be meeting with key stakeholders, such as voluntary and community groups over coming weeks.

“Following that we’ll be circulating a questionnaire among key groups, including children and young people.

“In addition we have commissioned work to assess changes to legislation and policy on children’s rights over the past three years.”

The Commissioner will announce details of the questionnaire in May, and how to take part, including the use of the office’s website, www.niccy.org.