2nd November 2001

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Citizenship and the rights of children are on the agenda at the University of Ulster next week.

The EMU Promoting Schools Project at Magee, in conjuction with UNICEF, is hosting a one day seminar that puts children very firmly in focus. Crucial issues regarding the rights of the child will be at the forefront of debate and discussion.

The seminar aims to highlight the obligations society has to children, especially in relation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Participants will consider young people’s role in the community, decision making at school, conflict resolution in the classroom and the promotion of active citizenship to achieve full potential.

“Given the recent events at the Holy Cross Primary School, there has never been a more pertinent time for Northern Irish society to engage fully with the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” said event organiser Lucia McGeady.

“If, as indicated in Article 28 of the Convention, that it every child’s right to access an education, then surely we must look closely at what we here in Northern Ireland are doing in order to ensure that we translate policy into practice. The convention holds many challenges for society, education providers and policy makers.

“We aim to raise awareness by looking at the convention and asking: How can children be involved in decision making processes? How can we help them become active citizens?
It is time for us to closely examine the role, hear the voices and revisit the rights of children here”.

The Citizenship Education and the Rights of the Child seminar will be held at the University of Ulster, Magee, on Wednesday November 7th 2001.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk