UNICEF Netherlands, The University of Curacao and Leiden University joined forces in a Spring School program focused on Children’s Rights in the Caribbean context. From 5 to 9 March 2018 more than 30 professionals from the Caribbean region broadened their knowledge by participating in this unique course.
The lectures and seminars were taught by international and regional child rights experts, including Prof. Jaap Doek, Former Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Mrs. Richelda Rodriguez-Emmanuel, Director of the Court of Guardianship, St. Maarten and Dr. Nicolas Espejo Yaksic, former Advisor to the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children.
The Spring School, led by Prof. Ton Liefaard, UNICEF Chair in Children’s Rights at Leiden Law School, highlighted a number of pressing children’s rights issues in the region, and enabled participants to exchange experiences, share best practices and strengthen their network in the field of children’s rights.
UNICEF and the Caribbean Disaster Management Emergency Agency hosted the Friday morning session on the situation of children and the role of UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean Region. During this session they discussed the topic children in emergencies and highlighted the role of local communities to improve children’s rights in the Caribbean.
Every child and young person has rights, no matter who they are or where they live. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely-ratified international human rights treaty today. Still children in the Caribbean face many challenges, especially in these times of climate change, growing mobility and migration. With this Spring Course UNICEF Netherlands, the University of Curacao and Leiden University want to equip professionals in the fields of children’s rights to better anticipate on these challenges regarding children’s rights.
More information about the course can be found at: http://summerschool.universiteitleiden.nl/courses/frontiers-of-childrens-rights-in-the-caribbean-region