22 November 2019
To recognise the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations (UN) ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’, a number of School assemblies was held on Wednesday, 20 November 2019.
The UN ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children and was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989.
School assemblies included a welcome and introduction to the Convention and White Ribbon Campaign, viewing of age appropriate videos depicting the ‘Rights of a Child’, pinning of pledges onto the wooden ‘children’ cut-outs and distribution of White Ribbons. The assemblies concluded with the formation of the White Ribbon symbol on the School fields.
On Wednesday evening, HE Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook hosted a reception at Plantation House for teachers, students and their parents/guardians, as well as various agencies associated with children to commemorate the Convention.
In HE’s speech, the Governor welcomed guests and gave them an overview of the Convention, its history and Human Rights focus, linking these with the work of Directorates on-Island and thanking Directors and staff in Education, Health and Policing for their public service.
The Governor said:
“It is due to the hard work and professionalism of St Helena Government staff that the Convention is a reality on our Island. Thank you to each of you for what you do in serving our community.”
UN Project Manager (St Helena), Nicolene Adams, added:
“The Rights of the Child 30th Anniversary is the celebration of the United Nations convention to protect and promote the safety and welfare of children.
“St Helena has underpinning legislation which promotes the safety and wellbeing of children on the Island by means of the Welfare of Children Ordinance.
“The Children and Adult Safeguarding Board offers scrutiny in relation to the multi-agency approach to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults on St Helena. This established forum ensures that children are and will be protected from harm and abuse from a multi-agency perspective.”
During the reception, speeches were also made by Children’s Champion, Councillor Derek Thomas, and Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey.
Nicolene concluded:
“Paraphrased in the words of the great Nelson Mandela ‘the true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children’. The children of St Helena are the rock on which our future will be built, they are our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our Island and the creators and securers of our society who will care for and protect our people and especially children that will come behind them.”
#StHelena #CRC #UN #RightsOfTheChild
SHG
22 November 2019