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 (Young Voices Coordinator) from Include Youth
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:
What is happening next?
In the New Year a detailed report on the day’s proceedings, including the round table 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 @nichildcom