In brief...

Wednesday, January 2, 2002

The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland has pledged that the country's Executive will protect children's rights, meet their needs and include their voices. Last month Mark Durkan met in Belfast with Olara Otunnu, the United Nations special representative for armed conflict and children, and told him the Province's proposed commissioner for children would be 'a visible sign of this commitment'. He said, 'This unique appointment will help us to meet our aim of putting Northern Ireland at the leading edge of best practice in children's issues.' He also said the Executive planned to bring forward a ten-year strategy for children and young people that would take account of the role played by parents and families.