In one of his first engagements as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Chris Quinn will be visiting a number of libraries across Northern Ireland to promote the exhibition ‘For Every Child…Every Right’.
The travelling exhibition will display information on the rights of the child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
It started its journey today (Wednesday 4th October) at Derry Central Library where it will spend four weeks.
From Derry, it will move to Coleraine in November and then onto 10 other locations across Northern Ireland throughout next year, spending a month at each, before concluding the journey in Larne in January 2025.
The exhibition will offer young people the opportunity to learn more about their rights covering all aspects of their lives and will also explain how adults and government must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights.
On Wednesday, Chris met with pupils from across the community and outlined his aims and ambitions to them in his role as the Commissioner.
Speaking at the event, he said: “I’m delighted to be here today to speak with and listen to young people. I want to understand their lived experiences and work on issues that are important to them.
“Libraries create opportunities for learning, offer safe spaces and are at the heart of communities. They offer the perfect location for me to engage with young people and to listen to their voices and their concerns.
“My main priority is to put children and young people’s voices at the centre of the policy making process, especially given the difficult challenges they have been facing through covid, the cost-of-living crisis and the recent announcement of budget cuts.
“As their Commissioner I want them to know that I work for them. I want them to understand what their rights are, how they should be upheld, and what my office can do to help them.”
Kim Aiken, Deputy Head of Service with Libraries NI, said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to assist the Northern Ireland Commissioner for children and Young People in their mission to protect and promote the rights of children. The exhibition will reach many young people as it travels to libraries across Northern Ireland, and we hope it has a positive impact on those who see it.”
For information on what is included in the exhibition visit www.niccy.org/children-and-young-people
For planning purposes, the locations and dates of the Libraries NI exhibition are as follows.
- Coleraine, Nov 2024
- Limavady, Jan 2024
- Omagh, Feb 2024
- Enniskillen, Mar-2024
- Newry, Apr-2024
- Cookstown, May-2024
- Holywood Arches, Jun-2024
- Whiterock, Sep-2024
- Bangor, Oct-2024
- Antrim, Nov-2024
- Larne, Jan-2025