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International Conference – The Right to be a Child
November 6, 2009
Tallinn, Estonia

The Conference is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the adoption the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Objective:
The aim of the conference is to discuss the prevailing attitudes and responsibility in ensuring the rights of children in Estonia and other European states.

Topics of the Conference:
Rights of the Child in Theory and Practice
Child as a subject of protection or a competent and capable person. Children’s rights in social and legal norms. What is the relationship between legal instruments and social reality?

The Capacity of the Society to Ensure the Rights of the Child
What is the capacity of the society to ensure the rights of the child? What is the role of a children’s ombudsman in ensuring the rights of the child?

Effective Involvement of Children
Specifying the needs of children often requires involvement of children in this process. With proper support, children are able to analyse problems and find solutions, but also to inform each other about the rights and the essence of the rights.
Are children and adults ready for a dialogue? Who will benefit from the dialogue? How to promote it successfully?

The Conference includes presentations by internationally renowned experts from Estonia, Belgium, Finland, Serbia, Denmark and Lithuania.  

 

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AGENDA
9.00 – 10.00 Registration of participants

10.00 – 10.15 Welcome addresses
I panel: Rights of the Child in Theory and Practice
10.15 – 12.00
Speakers:
1. Twenty years Convention on the Rights of the Child: Towards a World Fit for Children? Wouter Vandenhole, Chair in Human Rights – UNICEF Chair in Children’s Rights, University of Antwerpen,
2. Twenty years of children’s rights in Finland. Maria Kaisa Aula, Finnish Children’s Ombudsman
3. Marju Lauristin, professor, University of Tartu
Discussion: participates also Erki Korp, the Director of Tallinn Children Shelter

12.00 – 12.20 Coffee Break

II panel: The Capacity of the Society to Ensure the Rights of the Child
12.20 – 14.00
Speakers:
1. The Capacity of the Society to Ensure the Rights of the Child.
Nevena Vuckovič-Sahovič, University of Belgrad, the member of UN Committee of the Rights of the Child 2003-2009
2. The Necessity of the Child Rights Ombudsman in Lithuania.
Rimante Salaseviciute, Lithuanian Ombudsman of Child Rights
3. Allar Jõks, Advisor of Sorainen Law Office, Estonian Chancellor of Justice 2001-2008
Discussion: participates also Piret Visnapuu, psychiatrist of the Tallinn Children Hospital, psychotherapist

14.00 – 15.00 Lunch

III panel: Effective Involvement of Children
15.00 - 16.10
Speakers:
1. Children’s Influence in Society and the Possibilities for Internet-based Participation. Sanna Heikkilä, Member of the Board of Finnish Childrens' Parlament, Representative of Childhood Research Network
Sinikka Mäntysalo Lamppu, Finnish Childrens' Parlament, Training manager
2. Robert Lang, Estonian School Councils Union
Discussion: participates also Dagmar Kutsar, assistant professor of social policies, University of Tartu
16.10 – 16.30 Conclusion
The moderator of the Conference Margus Saar, Estonian Television 

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More information:http://www.lastekaitseliit.ee/