A major world congress dedicated to promoting the rights of children and young people was held in the Waterfront Hall in
DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE
By Nicole Clinton, Shona Furey & Tammy-Louise Clinton
Speaking at the end of a week long conference at
Hosted by the World Congress of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates it is the first time the event has been held in
Among the 500 delegates were people whose work supports the courts dealing with children, families and youth justice. The conference was designed to discuss, among other things, the protection of children’s rights as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child.
“For many millions of children their rights remain a distant dream”
Over the course of the week the delegates discussed the welfare of children across the world and their rights to speak, be heard, listened to and protected. Discussions focused on a child's place in the family and community; Childrens right to survival and develop and children in conflict with the law.
Ms Booth said, “For many millions of children their rights remain a distant dream. Child conscription destroys the lives and futures of thousands of children across the world.”
The conference also heard that children are suffering as the result of “sexual exploitation, armed conflict, bonded servitude, child labour and many other illicit activities”.
During her keynote speech, Ms Booth said she spoke “not only as a QC but also as a concerned mother of four children”.
Included among the delegates were law enforcement officers Henare Ngaera O’Keefe, Ross Stewart, Wayne Panapa and Gordon Rongonui from New
“It is easy doing our job, it’s our passion……..”
Officer O’Keefe continued, ” The New Zealand Aotearoa Police have created a programme which is designed to keep children safe called `K.O.S` which stands for ‘keep ourselves safe’. It is easy doing our job as it’s our passion; we have the most magnificent job in the world. We want to spread the word of love and good will to all men and that may sound like a bit of a cliché but it’s true to what we are trying to do”.
The
Not only do these police officers help the young people keep themselves safe but they also facilitate opportunities for young people to build on there hopes and dreams for the
future. Office Ngaera O’Keefe says, “We teach them love and forgiveness. I consider myself to be the International Ambassador of Love”.
“Most times when children see the police they are putting hand cuffs on someone”
Officer Wayne Panapa says, “The young people we work along side of face problems that are associated with, among many other things, drug use, alcohol dependency, sexual abuse, poverty, an inability to read, domestic violence and bullying. Most times when children see the police they are putting hand cuffs on someone. So when we go into places and have fun and a laugh and make a fool of ourselves, immediately the barriers come down. We are getting results but we still have a long way to go. There are children out there with no mum or dad, living in poverty and as a result they are very unhappy. Sometimes they get into committing crimes so we are here to help and we still have a lot of work to do”
……. adult delegates were able to take something away from the experience
As young reporters we feel that it is important to share our own opinions about the conference. It certainly was an educational experience and it seems that even the adult delegates were able to take something away from the experience. Our own understanding from the day spent in the company of so many professionals in the field will help us to value what we have. The things that we take for granted every day, like a loving family, good education and a chance to achieve in life. It is obvious that many other children don’t have those very same privileges. However we can be positive as there are many people like the officers of the Aotearoa Police Department who are striving to create a better world for young people.
