EUROPE
Implementing the rights of the child
The Office of the Commissioner for Children forms part of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC), a network made up of 37 national independent entities which was created in order to encourage the fullest possible implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. ENOC plays a key role in the development, promotion and implementation of any other policies and initiatives relating to children, on a national, European, as well as on an international level.
This year Malta was chosen to host the ENOC thematic seminar. This is an important occasion for Ombudspersons and Commissioners for Children from all over Europe as it gives them the opportunity to discuss issues that are common across Europe. This regional seminar is taking place at St Joseph retreat house, Rabat, between the 6 and 7 June and has as its theme ‘The specific role of Ombudspersons for Children in Europe to make children’s voices heard and their rights enhanced’. Article 12 of the UN Convention states the responsibility for States Parties to “assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.” It is for this reason that the child’s right to a voice is being given significant importance.
The specific aims of this seminar are to develop a transnational exchange on how to better protect and promote the rights of children, and to ensure that their voice is heard by strengthening the visibility and the role of Ombudspersons for children across Europe. Independent institutions for children’s rights will have the opportunity to demonstrate their added value in order to foresee how to reinforce their role and mandates in European societies. The seminar will also focus on the identification of the main difficulties and challenges faced by ENOC members in the accomplishment of their functions.
The participants were welcomed by Helen
D’Amato, the Commissioner for Children, Malta and by Dominique Versini,
the Ombudsperson for France who currently holds the ENOC Chair. Ms
D’Amato stressed that “as a result of child and youth participation, we
may see an increase in the active social citizenship of young people, a
decrease in their social exclusion, as well as improved service
development, among other aspects”. The participants for this important
event include the Ombudspersons and Commissioners for Children
affiliated to ENOC as well as representatives from the Council of Europe
and the European Commission.
News item
8 June 2010
