This weekend, 19-20 November, will be of particular significance in the calendar of the Children’s Rights Alliance, as Saturday marks the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, immediately followed by the 22nd anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on Sunday.  The Alliance marked these events by hosting two special events: a journalist seminar on children’s rights on Monday 14 November and by inviting TDs and Senators to sign a pledge wall, supporting the strengthening of children’s rights in the Constitution, on Thursday 17 November. 
 
Senator Jillian van Turnhout, outgoing Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, says: “We have been delighted with this week’s events, which have seen both journalists and politicians engaged with the very real issue of vindicating children’s rights in Ireland.  We were very much encouraged by the interest, energy and commitments shown by all.  We will now build on this work, over the coming weeks and months to help ensure that each child in Ireland is cherished equally.” 
 
Launched in 2000, the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse is commemorated on 19 November, in synergy with the anniversary of the International Day for the Rights of the Child (20 November), which celebrates the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and rallies around the issue of child abuse and the need for urgent effective prevention programmes. 
 
Senator Jillian van Turnhout, outgoing Chief Executive of the Alliance, continues: “Over recent years, high profile cases of extreme neglect and horrific exploitation of children have brought into sharp focus our need to do something to change how Ireland treats its children.  This requires our Constitution to be updated because, as it stands, children are almost invisible within the Constitution and when children find themselves in dangerous or difficult situations, the Constitution makes it impossible to give the same level of protection to each child.  This situation must change and we are grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue once more.”

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For more information, please contact:
Carys Thomas, Communications Director
Tel: (01) 6629400
Mobile: 0877702845
Email: carys@childrensrights.ie
 
Notes to Editor:
1. Further details about the need to hold a referendum on children’s rights can be found on the Alliance web site at www.childrensrights.ie or by downloading this leaflet: http://bit.ly/sqJGFb