Media Releases - 19 November 2019

Celebrating World Children’s Day and the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) Leanne McLean invites the Tasmanian media to celebrate World Children’s Day and the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the Executive Building TOMORROW at 1pm, Wednesday, November 20.

“We are installing a special exhibition in the foyer of the Executive Building – nearly 50 re-purposed umbrellas painted and decorated by children and young people who are CCYP Ambassadors,” Ms McLean said.

“These ‘umbrella messages’ convey the views of children and young people about their safety and access to services in their communities to political leaders and policy-makers.”

“The ‘umbrella messages’ are a creative, fun and interesting way for policy and decision makers to hear about the things that are important to children and young people in Tasmania.

“They were created at a CCYP Ambassador Statewide event which included opportunities for CCYP Ambassadors to meet with and speak directly with Tasmanian political leaders.”

Ms McLean said World Children’s Day is a day we celebrate and promote children’s rights, including improvements to their wellbeing.

“It’s a fun day with a serious message. This year’s World Children’s Day is particularly important because this year we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“The Convention recognises that children and young people have the right to be active participants in all matters affecting their lives.

“This ‘right to have a say’ is fundamental to the exercise and enjoyment of other rights, including the right to development and the right to protection from all forms of violence.

“Promoting children and young people’s participation in decision making and encouraging them to express their views on issues that are important to them are key aspects of the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s role.”

WHAT: Launch of Umbrella Messages for 30th Anniversary of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
WHERE: Executive Building Foyer, 15 Murray St, Hobart
WHEN: 1pm, Wednesday, November 20 (TOMORROW)

Special Note: Commissioner for Children and Young People Leanne McLean and two CCYP Ambassadors will be available for media interview.

Photograph/camera opportunities will include installed umbrellas, close ups of messages from children and young people and CCYP Ambassadors holding/opening umbrellas etc.

Background to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989 and is one of the most universally accepted human rights treaties in history.

The four general principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are:
• The child’s right to non-discrimination (Article 2)
• The child’s right to have their best interests taken into account as a primary consideration in all actions and decisions that affect them (Article 3)
• The child’s right to life, survival and development (Article 6)
• The child’s right to have a say in all matters affecting them and for their views to be taken into account (Article 12)

Background to the CCYP Ambassador Program
In April 2019, the Commissioner launched the CCYP Ambassador Program – this is a new consultative mechanism that fulfils the requirement in the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2016 that the Commissioner establish a Children and Young People Consultative Council.

Through this program, almost 200 CCYP Ambassadors aged 9 to 17 years assist the Commissioner to understand what is important for children and young people in Tasmania and meet with the Commissioner to:

• Share their opinions and ideas about what is important to them to help the Commissioner to be a strong advocate for Tasmanian children and young people.
• Learn about and promote the rights that children and young people have under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Complete special projects. These projects are developed through conversations with CCYP Ambassadors and inform the Commissioner’s work on behalf of children and young people in Tasmania.