Ombudsman for Children at UN plenary meeting as Chair Elect of ENOC

Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, is this week attending a special United Nations (UN) plenary meeting in New York convened to review the implementation of the UN document, A World Fit for Children.

The Ombudsman for Children is in New York in her capacity as Chair Elect of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC). Commenting on the importance of the UN plenary meeting, the Ombudsman for Children stated:

“A World Fit for Children is a plan of action to significantly improve the care, education, protection, dignity and wellbeing of children and young people across the globe. Some progress has been made in the five years since this document was agreed, however much more needs to be done to live up to the standards that we set for ourselves in 2002.

“I believe that both short and long term action is now needed to tackle the key issues that threaten children and hamper the realisation of their rights.

“The challenges we face in making the world a good place to be for all children are huge. The promotion of healthcare and education, combating HIV/Aids, and addressing the inequity between rich and poor is fundamental.

“These issues are accompanied by emerging challenges that only concerted and cooperative action can address:

Trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of children, is a problem on a global scale requiring a global response.

The emergence of new technologies poses a real challenge for the protection of children.

Climate change is an imminent threat to millions of children, especially from the developing world.

Political instability, war, and the rise in religious fundamentalism signal a growing risk to children.

“No one Government can act on its own to fully protect children and young people. The international community must work together in a spirit of cooperation to address these issues.”

Referring to her recent election to the position of Chair of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC), Emily Logan commented:

“As Chair Elect of ENOC, I am looking forward to working with my European colleagues to promote children’s rights across all member States of the European network.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About ENOC

Ombudspersons for Children are in place in 24 European States. In 1997, the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) was established, and now includes 34 members drawn from these 24 States. The role of ENOC is to facilitate the promotion and protection of the rights of children, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). ENOC is run by a Bureau consisting of 5 members chosen by the network. The Ombudsman for Children (Ireland), Emily Logan, was elected to this Bureau last September. She will assume the Chair of ENOC in September 2008, when her office will host the annual ENOC conference in Dublin Castle. Notes to Editors:

About A World Fit for Children

The document under review at the United Nations, A World Fit for Children, was adopted five years ago by 180 States worldwide, and was the formal outcome of the United Nations Special Session on Children (2002). A World Fit for Children sets out 10 fundamental principles for making the world a better place for all children and young people.

A full copy of the document can be downloaded from: http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/wffc/

• 12 December 2007
• Type: Press Release