Nigel Williams, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, has called for proper funding in order to carry out a proposed Government strategy for children and young people.

“Making it R World 2” is a draft 10-year strategy for children and young people produced by the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister. 

Mr. Williams said that the strategy was an important step in the development of how children and young people are treated, and that it needed to be given proper funding and due importance within all parts of Government.

“The publication of this draft strategy should have signalled a huge step forward in children and young people’s rights in Northern Ireland,” he said.  “We feel that there needs to be a clear indication that specific resources will be allocated to the actions in this strategy.”

The Commissioner’s job is to look after and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people.  He says that it would be a good idea to also have a minister of Children and Young People.

“Children and young people are affected by the decisions of Government and almost every Government department. In England there is a minister for children and while I realise there are very real difficulties during this period of Direct Rule I believe this is an important step that needs to be taken.”

For more information, check out the commissioner’s website at www.niccy.org

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