Child Rights Connect

Exhibition: When children defend their rights
2019-09-20 07:30 - 2019-10-04 19:00 (Europe/Paris) | Salle d’exposition de l’Université, 66 boulevard Carl Vogt, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
EN / FR
When children defend their rights
Exhibition “Children reporters. 1, 2, 3 … let’s talk about our rights! ”
On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Thirty years later, the Republic and Canton of Geneva has updated its policy for children and youth with a new law recognizing the child “not only as a subject with rights, first of all to be protected, but also as an actor participating in society and who has the right to express himself on issues concerning him “.
To commemorate this anniversary and to give the children a voice on the rights that concern them, the UNIGE Showroom (SEU) hosts an exhibition entitled “Children reporters. 1, 2, 3 … let’s talk about our rights! ” Through video, photo, radio and written reports, the SEU will show the works of children from Geneva and elsewhere who wish to share with the public their vision of the rights of the child today: what seems important, which is a problem for them, which they would like to change. During the night of Saturday, September 28, proposed in the framework of NO’PHOTO 2019, biennial of photography in Geneva, visitors will also be able to attend a projection of the Musée de l’Élysée with the theme “childhood dream”. Find more information here.
The Children Reporter project is accompanied by a three-day conference around the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention. Professionals, institutions and actors of the rights of the child, adults and children, of the City of Geneva as of international Geneva, the Swiss Confederation and the academic sector, will be invited to discuss and exchange on the actions carried out in Geneva in favor the rights of the child. A photographic exhibition will also be installed on Wilson’s Wharf throughout the month of October 2019. A day of entertainment around the rights of the child, with a giant birthday cake, will be organized to celebrate the anniversary day. of the Convention, on November 20, 2019, at the Place des Nations. Find more information here.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening on Tuesday 24 September at 18h30
Nocturne on Saturday, September 28, from 2pm to 1am, with a projection of the Élysée Museum (Suzi Pilet, “The childhood dreamed”)
Guided tours for the public will be held on Thursday 26 September at 18h and on Tuesday 1 October at 12.30.

Quand les enfants défendent leurs droits
Exposition «Enfants reporters. 1, 2, 3… parlons de nos droits!»
Le 20 novembre 1989, l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies adoptait la Convention de l’ONU relative aux droits de l’enfant. Trente ans plus tard, la République et canton de Genève a actualisé sa politique pour l’enfance et la jeunesse avec une nouvelle loi reconnaissant l’enfant «non seulement comme un sujet doté de droits, dont en premier lieu celui d’être protégé, mais également comme un acteur participant à la société et qui a le droit de s’exprimer sur les questions le concernant».
Pour commémorer cet anniversaire et donner la parole aux enfants sur les droits qui les concernent, la Salle d’exposition de l’UNIGE (SEU) accueille une exposition intitulée «Enfants reporters. 1, 2, 3… parlons de nos droits!». À travers des reportages vidéos, photos, radios ou encore écrits, la SEU exposera les œuvres d’enfants venus de Genève et d’ailleurs, qui souhaitent partager avec le public leur vision des droits de l’enfant aujourd’hui: ce qui leur paraît important, ce qui leur pose problème, ce qu’ils voudraient changer. Durant la nocturne du samedi 28 septembre, proposée dans le cadre de NO’PHOTO 2019, biennale de la photographie à Genève, les visiteurs pourront également assister à une projection du Musée de l’Élysée ayant pour thème «L’enfance rêvée». Retrouvez plus d’informations ici.
Le projet «Enfants reporters» s’accompagne d’une conférence de trois jours autour du 30ème anniversaire de la Convention des Nations Unies. Professionnels, institutionnels et acteurs des droits de l’enfant, adultes et enfants, de la Cité de Genève comme de la Genève internationale, de la Confédération helvétique et du secteur académique, seront invités pour débattre et échanger sur les actions réalisées à Genève en faveur des droits de l’enfant. Une exposition photographique sera également installée sur le Quai Wilson tout le mois d’octobre 2019. Une journée d’animations autour des droits de l’enfant, avec un gâteau d’anniversaire géant, sera par ailleurs organisée pour fêter la journée d’anniversaire de la Convention, le 20 novembre 2019 sur la place des Nations.
Retrouvez plus d’informations ici.
INFOS PRATIQUES
Vernissage le mardi 24 septembre à 18h30
Nocturne le samedi 28 septembre, de 14h à 1h, avec une projection du Musée de l’Élysée (Suzi Pilet, «L’enfance rêvée»)
Des visites guidées pour le public seront organisées le jeudi 26 septembre à 18h et le mardi 1er octobre à 12h30.

CONTACTS
Anita Goh, Commissaire de l’exposition et chef de projet de l’Association 30 Ans de Droits de l’Enfant
Anita.Goh@30ansde.org
+41 76 358 12 22
Philip D. Jaffé, Directeur du Centre interfacultaire en droits de l’enfant de l’UNIGE et membre fondateur de l’Association 30 ans de droits de l’enfant
Philip.Jaffe@unige.ch
+41 76 390 08 52

Committee on the Rights of the Child: 30 years of children's rights - Where we are and where we want to be
2019-09-16 | Palais des Nations, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
On Monday 16 September 2019 the CRC Committee celebrates the 30th anniversary through:

The launch of the exhibition at 1:30pm which displays the pledges made by States with respect to children’s rights, as well as national initiatives, from 16 to 27 September 2019.
The public event 30 years of children’s rights – Where we are and where we want to be in Palais des Nations:

On the dedicated website you will find the speakers’ bios, including Hannah, Zcyrel, Maria, Amy, Serena, Sophia and Keren, and the programme of the event: English | French | Spanish
Serena helped to open the event and focused on a call for ratification of the third Optional Protocol to the CRC; OPIC. As part of the day’s celebrations, we launched our new OPIC website – find out more in the article above!
Jean Zermatten, previous Chairperson of the Committee, gave a history to the Convention which included data collected from our 2019 report on the Global Status of Engagement in Reporting to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Sophia and Keren led a talkshow with a range of stakeholders including our Executive Director Alex Conte and Maria and Zcyrel then launched the child-friendly CRC they have developed as part of a global, cross-regional Children’s Advisory Team which was led by Child Rights Connect. Access the associated Guide for adults to empower children to develop their own versions in their contexts.
Hannah (representing the global DGD Children’s Advisory Team) and Sophia took part in a roundtable on topics including child justice and the environment, and Amy took the lead on social media throughout the day and concluded key messages throughout the day. #LittleVoicesBigImpact
We really encourage you to watch the recording of the event here!
Key messages and feedback from this event will help to inform preparations and discussions during the November CRC30 conference.

82nd session
2019-09-09 - 2019-09-27
Pre-session (04.02.2019 – 08.02.2019):
Australia (CRC), Bosnia and Herzegovina (CRC), Georgia (OPAC, OPSC), Luxembourg (LOIPR), Mozambique (CRC), Panama (OPAC), Portugal (CRC), Republic of Korea (CRC)
Session (09.09.2019 – 27.09.2019):
Australia (CRC), Bosnia and Herzegovina (CRC), Georgia (OPAC, OPSC), Mozambique (CRC), Panama (OPAC), Portugal (CRC), Republic of Korea (CRC)

CRC 30th anniversary - Time for Transformative Action
2019-07-01 13:30 - 15:00 | Palais des Nations (Room IX), Geneva, Switzerland
Programme

Video, children’s views on the UNCRC
Presentation of the findings of the Global Child Rights Progress Report, by Delphine Moralis, secretary General, Terre des Hommes on behalf on Joining Forces: Child Rights Now! Alliance
Dialogue between children and government representatives from Romania and Zambia (tbc)
Commentary by Dr. Philip D. Jaffé, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Q&A session

Discussion moderated by Precious, child from Zambia
An event by Child Fund Alliance, Plan international, Save The Children, SOS Children’s Village, Terre des Hommes International Federation, World Vision, cosponsored by the European Union and Uruguay.
See the flyer

Access to remedy for children victims and survivors of trafficking
2019-06-28 09:30 - 23:00
This event is cosponsored by the Permanent Missions of The Philippines, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Hungary, Peru, Croatia, Germany as well as Caritas Internationalis, the CRC Committee, Child Rights Connect, ECPAT International and UNICEF.
Program

Opening remarks: Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organization in Geneva
Panel discussion with:

Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons especially women and children)
Mikiko Otani (Committee on the Rights of the Child, Expert)
Noha Roukoz (Caritas Lebanon, Awareness Project Officer)
Afshan Khan (UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, Regional Director and Special Coordinator for Refugee and Migrant Response in Europe)
Catherine Mbengue (ECPAT International, Senior Advisor)
Camillo Gudmalin (Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, Vice minister/ Undersecretary for Special Concerns)

Open forum / Q&A

Objectives

To outline existing challenges hampering access to remedy for children victims of trafficking, in particular in the context of migration
To discuss specific challenges as a result of children transitioning to adulthood
To identify good practices on access to justice for children victims of trafficking

28 June, 9.30am-11am, Room XV Building A Palais des Nations
Please RSVP to Ms. Alca Tintero, by 27 June 2019: aica.tintero@dfa.gov.ph or 078 829 8818
Please find further information in the attached flyer.

The International Journal of Children’s Rights UNCRC 30th Anniversary Conference
2019-06-20 10:00 - 2019-06-21 17:00
Thirty Years of Children’s Rights Scholarship: Taking Stock and Thinking Ahead
This conference will provide an opportunity for children’s rights scholars from across the globe to reflect on developments in children’s rights scholarship since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It will cover a range of issues, including juvenile justice, education, family relationships, child participation, health and well-being, poverty and immigration.
Discussions will be informed by a series of short reviews by leading and up-and-coming scholars from across the world who will reflect on key theoretical, empirical and methodological contributions to children’s rights research over the past three decades. This will help to reveal gaps in knowledge and identify opportunities and priorities for further scholarship.
Our Programme Manager Ilaria Paolazzi will be participating.

Day 1 Thursday 20th June
Chair: Kirsten Sandberg

11.00-11.10
Introductions
Laura Lundy and Helen Stalford

11.15-12.00
Children’s Rights Theory
Karl Hanson (University of Geneva)
Noam Peleg (UNSW, Sydney)

12.00-12.45
Poverty/socio-economic rights
Aoife Nolan (Nottingham University)
Kirrily Pells (UCL)

1.30- 2.15
Education
Ann Quennerstedt (Orebro University)
Zoé Moody (University of Geneva)

2.15-3.00
UNCRC Incorporation
Simon Hoffman (Swansea University)
Rebecca Stern (Uppsala University)

3.00-4.00
Open Discussion
Discussant: Roberta Ruggiero

Day 2 Friday 21th June
Chair: Professor Julia Sloth-Nielson

11.00-11.15
30 years, 30 cheers!:
Celebrating the UNCRC
Michael Freeman

11.15-12.00
Child Participation

Kay Tisdall (Edinburgh University)
Christina McMellon (Glasgow University) (TBC)

12.00-12.45
Child Migration
Ellen Desmet (Ghent University)
Ruth Brittle (Nottingham University)

1.30- 2.15
Family
Conor O’Mahony (University College Cork)
Lydia Bracken (University of Limerick)

2.15-3.00
Juvenile Justice
Ton Liefaard (Leiden University)
Nessa Lynch (University of Wellington)

3.00-4.00
Open Discussion
Discussant: Claire Fenton-Glynn

The Human Rights of Children in Practice - Too serious to be left only to the goodwill of adults
2019-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 | La Pastorale, Centre d’Accueil de la Genève Internationale (CAGI), Switzerland
An event in the context of the 30th anniversary of the CRC is being organised by the University of Geneva as part of their Summer Schools programme, in partnership with Child Rights Connect, 30 ans de droits de l’enfant and the Centre Interfacultaire en droits de l’enfant!
Konstantinos, a child advisor in our DGD Children’s Advisory Team, will be delivering a keynote speech and be part of a dialogue with panelists:

Philip Jaffé, Professor, University of Geneva and Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child,
Jean Zermatten, Former Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child,
Stephen Langton, our interim Director.

Moderation : Roberta Ruggiero, Centre for Children’s Rights Studies
Join us on 18 June 2019, 6pm La Pastorale, Centre d’Accueil de la Genève Internationale (CAGI)
Flyer here.

Strategic litigation before the UN: a tool for social and legal change
2019-05-28 12:30 - 14:00
Join us, in person or online, for a Presentation by partners Litigating cases of Girls victims of Sexual Violence and Forced Pregnancies at the UN treaty bodies, including the CRC
Global Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights together with in-country partners, will be presenting cases being submitted to the UN treaty bodies, including the Committee on the Rights of the Child involving girls victims of sexual violence who were forced to carry their pregnancies to term in several Latin American countries. The case brought before the CRC will be the first time the Committee will have to pronounce itself through an individual communication on the public health problem of forced pregnancies which violates girls’ right to health; education; and information, among others;
The event will also be an opportunity to hear first-hand about the litigation strategy and why for example the case presented to the Committee on the Rights of the Child was not instead submitted to the CEDAW or a regional human rights court.

30 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: achievements, challenges and opportunities, with a key focus on access to information, digital skills and online safety for children
2019-05-27 13:00 - 14:45 | Palais des Nations (Room XXV)
Background and objectives

The Permanent Mission of Romania and the Permanent Mission of Austria are organizing an event in the margins of the 81st session of the CRC entitled “30 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: achievements, challenges and opportunities, with a key focus on access to information, digital skills and online safety for children”.
The year 2019 provides the opportunity to take stock of the achievements 30 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to identify challenges in the implementation of the rights of the child and to discuss the way ahead. This event aims to contribute to these discussions. Particularly, it will be an opportunity to take stock of 30 years since the adoption of the CRC from the perspective of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, to identify the existing gaps and challenges for the implementation and to discuss emerging issues in the area of children’s rights. Among current challenges and opportunities, the event will focus on the interlinkages between access to information, digital skills and online safety for children, also with a view to the ongoing work of the Committee on a General Comment on children’s rights in the digital environment. While access to information contributes to the promotion of children’s social, spiritual and moral well-being, as well as to their physical and mental health, and digital skills become indispensable in the process of education, online safety must be a priority for these essential objectives to be met.
Romania, the holder of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, and Austria, the previous EU Council presidency, are committed to promoting children’s rights. The 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is an opportunity to reaffirm this commitment and to galvanize reflection on achievements, challenges and opportunities in the area of children’s rights.

Format of the event

The theme will be addressed by a panel consisting of members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, human rights experts, representatives of civil society and diplomats, through short presentations. At the end of this part, a questions-and-answers session will allow the participants to engage with panelists and broaden the reflection initiated by them.

Programme and panelists

13h00-13h20: Light lunch
13h20-13h25: Opening Remarks
H.E. Amb. Adrian Vierita, Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations in Geneva
13h25 – 14h05: Panel Session
Justice Renate Winter, Outgoing Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Mr. Luis Ernesto Pedernera Reyna, Incoming Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Dr. Philip Jaffé, Professor at the University of Geneva, Psychotherapist and CRC Member
Mr. Chulho Hyun, Regional Chief of Communication, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)
Ms. Adina Codres, Senior Counsellor, Romanian National Authority for Children’s Rights Protection and Adoption
Ms. Ilaria Paolazzi, Programme Manager, Child Rights Connect
Moderation: Ms. Imma Guerras-Delgado, Team Leader – Child and Youth Rights, OHCHR
14h05-14h35: Exchange time with the floor
14h35-14h45: Closing remarks

81st Session
2019-05-13 - 2019-05-31
Pre-session (08.10.2018-12.10.2018):
Botswana (CRC), Cabo Verde (CRC), Côte d’Ivoire (CRC), Malta (CRC), Poland (LOIPR), Singapore (CRC), Sri Lanka (OPSC), Tonga (CRC)
Session (13.05.2019 – 31.05.2019):
Botswana (CRC), Cabo Verde (CRC), Côte d’Ivoire (CRC), Malta (CRC), Singapore (CRC), Sri Lanka (OPSC), Tonga (CRC)

Child Rights Connect Public Reception
2019-05-09 18:00 - 20:00

Study on the global status of engagement in CRC reporting
2019-05-09 - 2019-05-10
Child Rights Connect is facilitating strategic and critical reflections about challenges and achievements of civil society child rights advocacy and engagement with the CRC Committee by:
– developing a study on the global status of the engagement of States, NGOs and children in the CRC reporting process to highlight gaps and the current outlook of the child rights advocacy movement;
– organising a stock-take exercise with members and key partners to discuss the findings of the study and new joint strategies to be more effective.

Child Rights Connect General Assembly
2019-05-09 - 2019-05-10

80th Session
2019-01-14 - 2019-02-01
Pre-session (04.06.2018-08.06.2018):
Bahrain (CRC), Belgium (CRC), Croatia (LOIPR), Czech Republic (OPSC), Guinea (CRC), Hungary (LOIPR), Italy (CRC), Syrian Arab Republic (CRC)
Session (14.01.2019-01.02.2019):
Bahrain (CRC), Belgium (CRC), Czech Republic (OPSC), Guinea (CRC), Italy (CRC), Japan (CRC), Syrian Arab Republic (CRC)

Day of General Discussion "Protecting & Empowering Children as Human Rights Defenders"
2018-09-28 10:00 - 18:00 | Palais des Nations, Room XVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
More information

79th Session
2018-09-17 - 2018-10-05
Benin (OPSC, OPAC), El Salvador (CRC), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (CRC), Mauritania (CRC), Niger (CRC, OPSC), Saudi Arabia (OPSC, OPAC)

78th Session
2018-05-14 - 2018-06-01
Algeria (OPAC), Angola (CRC, OPSC, OPAC), Argentina (CRC), Lesotho (CRC), Montenegro (CRC), Norway (CRC)

Child Rights Connect Public Reception
2018-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Club Suisse de la Presse, 106, route Ferney, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
Child Rights Connect is organising a networking reception, with children’s rights defenders from around the world and inspiring keynote speakers, to trigger discussions and ideas on recognising children as human rights defenders.
During this event Child Rights Connect will be represented by more than 30 of its members, from around the world will be present.
Confirmed speakers:

His Excellency Mr. Michael Gaffey, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ireland
Mikiko Otani, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Phil Lynch, Director of ISHR

Registration:
If you are planing to attend the reception and haven’t already signed up for the General Assembly, please register online: www.childrightsconnect.org/reception

Participating Organisations:

Alliance of NGO’s active in the field of Child and Family Social Protection (APSCF), Moldova
ATD Fourth World
Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care
Child Rights Coalition Asia
Child Rights Network Switzerland
Children’s Parliament Scotland
Consortium for Street Children
Defence for Children International
ECPAT International
Edmund Rice International
Friends International Switzerland
Friends World Committee for Consultation represented by the Quakers
Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Humanium
International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates
International Social Service
Make Mothers Matter
Marist International Solidarity Foundation
Plan International
Plataforma de Infancia
REDLAMYC
Rural Women Development Initiative
Save the Children
SOS Children’s Villages International
Tanzania Child Rights Forum
Terre des Hommes International Federation
Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)
War Child Holland
Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF)
World Vision International

General Assembly - Child Rights Connect
2018-05-08 - 2018-05-09 | Club Suisse de la Presse, 106, route Ferney, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland
