The rights of children were brought into focus in 2009 with the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Australian Capital Territory Children and Young People Commissioner, Mr Alasdair Roy presents the 20th Anniversary commemorative United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child book to the Prime Minister, the Honourable Kevin Rudd.The Convention was adopted in full in 1989 and represents a landmark in children's rights. For the first time it recognised children as people in their own right, promoting their right to life, liberty, dignity and protection from all types of abuse. Importantly it has since been ratified by 193 countries, including Australia.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Convention, all children’s’ commissions across Australia, including Queensland, produced a commemorative book which was presented to the Prime Minister, the Honourable Kevin Rudd on behalf of all Australian commissioners for children by the Australian Capital Territory Children and Young People Commissioner, Mr Alasdair Roy, at an Australia Day function held in Canberra this year.
The Convention was one of the key drivers behind the establishment of the Queensland Children’s Commission in 1996 and through successive additional commitments to its mandate. The principles of the Convention are embraced in the Queensland’s Commission’s Act, Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000. Fourteen years on, the principles of the Convention are still reflected in the Commission’s legislation and ensures that the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian continues to uphold these principles as an ongoing priority across all of its mandated functions.
The book contains a foreword from Governor-General Quentin Bryce, which goes to the heart of the vital responsibility all must share for protecting children and young people:
“The Convention is a glowing beacon for children across the globe, emblazoning their rights and status, offering a refuge from neglect, detriment and exclusion. It calls upon us as the guardians and keepers of childhood to know it as our greatest gift and promise.
Though we see violations of its spirit everywhere and every day, the Convention reminds us to what we aspire. It urges us not to give up, but to carry the flame for our children, and never forget what we owe them: the best that we have to give.”
Copies of the book can be obtained through the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). Books are $20.00 each plus postage and handling, with proceeds going to NAPCAN. Download an order form.
