We Celebrate… but the struggle continues

This year in 2009, Defence for Children International (DCI) celebrates its 30th anniversary: a birthday it shares with the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This highlights DCI’s historical role as a leading advocate for the adoption of the Convention and one of the first organisations to work from the concept of children’s human rights. After 30 years of having a special set of rights for children, there is much celebrate. But we must not forget the significant work that remains in translating these rights into reality for all children around the world.

To mark this historic anniversary, DCI has held a number of activities in Geneva and in its national sections. In keeping with its focus on juvenile justice, the International Secretariat has identified the theme of child participation and juvenile justice as the focus of its anniversary activities.

DCI held a symposium consisting of four panels on two interlinked topics: developing strategies for involving young people in advocacy campaigns for juvenile justice and how to promote best practices in realising the right to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect him or her for children and youth in conflict with the law.

A reflection on the ethical aspects of involving children in juvenile justice advocacy, in particular when asking children and young people to tell their stories, or use their stories for advocacy campaigns, formed part of the debate.

Participants l included DCI national sections and other national civil society partners, representatives of diplomatic missions and international NGOs, and academics, practitioners and professionals all sharing a special interest in juvenile justice and child participation. The symposium report will come out soon.

► Download the programme of the event with short descriptions of the keynote speakers and workshop leaders.

►Download the symposium report

Lastly, to mark the anniversary, the Secretariat published a book about the 30 years of history of the DCI movement, "History of Child Rights in Action". The book looks at the key achievements in DCI’s history and prominent figures that have helped solidify DCI’s place as a leading actor in child rights.

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