NEWS UPDATE

The Rights of Children and Young People Working Conference

Friday 2nd March 2001 - Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne

The rights of children and young people are again an issue of debate in the community. Recently Victoria has seen increased opposition to the detention of young people, a renewed call for an Office of Children and Children's Commissioner, considerable debate in the community about the use of corporal punishment as a means of discipline at home and controversy about the child's right to a father.

A soon to be released paper from the Federation of Community Legal Centres shows that we still have lots of work to do, to make young people's rights a reality.

This conference will bring together relevant agencies working with young people to develop strategies to enhance children's rights, according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a unique opportunity for the youth sector in Victoria.

The conference will hear from Moira Raynor, former Commissioner for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and currently employed in London as the Director of the Office of Children's Rights. The official opening will include The Honourable Justin Madden, Minister for Youth Affairs.

All enquiries and registrations to Fiona Mckay, North Melbourne Legal Service ph 03 9328 1885, email nmls@vicnet.net.au