Swansea University
Rights of the Child Conference
From 20th Century Visions to 21st Century Implementation
Date: Friday 19 September 2008
Time: 9am – 5pm
Venue: Faraday Lecture Suite, Swansea University
As the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child (CRC) approaches its 20th Birthday, this Conference revisits the visions and debates at the time of its drafting and adoption and critically examines the implementation of children's rights in reality today. The Conference combines critical reflection by leading international experts in children's rights, drawing on experience from before the time of the adoption of the CRC, with examination of specific issues of relevance to Wales. Practitioners, policy advisers, academics and any person interested in children’s rights will gain insight and stimulation from this programme, which ranges from conceptual themes to research, policy and practical application.
Opening Address
Per Miljeteig, former Director Childwatch International
Plenary Sessions:‘
The CRC: Dynamics and Directions’Professor Jaap Doek Emeritus Professor of Law, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, 2001 – 2007 ‘Are Children’s Rights Still Human?’Nigel Cantwell, International Consultant, Child Protection, Geneva, 'The Need for a Complaints and Advisory Mechanism to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child'Professor Geraldine Van Bueren, Professor of International Human Rights Law, Queen Mary College, University of London, ‘Has research improved the human rights of children – or have the information needs of the CRC improved data about children?’Dr Judith Ennew, Head of Programme Development, Knowing Children ‘Making Children’s Rights a Reality in Wales’:Chaired by Richard Powell, Save the Children UK, Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for WalesJane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Welsh Assembly Government, Funky Dragon, the Children and Young People’s Assembly for WalesThe Wales UNCRC Monitoring Group
Workshops:
Visions and Implementation: Dr Ursula Kilkelly, School of Law, University of Cork Our Rights, Our StoryFunky Dragon Child PovertyAnne Crowley and Rhian Croke, Save the Children CymruMigrant Children, the CRC and the UK’s ReservationDr Heaven Crawley, Centre for Migration Policy Research, Swansea UniversityCombating Discrimination to Overcome Barriers to Health Services Dr Elspeth Webb, Cardiff Medical School
Further Information and Registration: Trish Rees, School of Law, Swansea University tel. 00 44 (0) 1792 513511 email E.P.Rees@swansea.ac.uk, or visit http://www.rightsofthechildswansea.com/index.html