Understanding Children's Human Rights

Summary: This practically-focussed course, consisting of six substantive sessions over two days, places in perspective international human rights law as it affects children. At the end of the two days participants will have comprehensive information on the international framework to guarantee the rights of the child and also on how to use and apply this in a domestic setting.

 

Course Components

·         The International human rights framework and how it relates to children;

·         The evolution of international child law, its framework and implementation mechanisms, and the definition of the 'child';

·         Development issues including child poverty, child labour, trafficking and education;

·         Litigating children's rights using international, and regional courts and tribunals, including the rights of child migrants;

·         International human rights and juvenile justice;

·         Participation of the child in international, national and domestic life - and UK implementation of participation rights.


Why take the course?

·         delivers comprehensive information on the international framework to guarantee the rights of the child and develops the capacity to use and apply this in a domestic setting;

·         provides a unique opportunity to move beyond specialised areas of child-related expertise to an overview of 'child rights' within the broader international human rights framework;

·         offers insight and guidance on various approaches to child-related advocacy which can be applied in practice;

·         provides a forum for discussing some of the complexities inherent in the notion of 'children's rights';

·         offers a broad analysis of substantive and topical issues of child law and policy;

·         provides access to leading child law and human rights practitioners

The course is designed for professional participants involved in either developing policy and practice in relation to children, or working in child rights and child protection. Lawyers working in child law will be able to use the course to update and develop their knowledge in this crucial area of their work. Equally the course will be highly beneficial for those who campaign for children's rights and those who are interested in the added value of human rights, and in discussing and analysing these issues.


Speakers

The course is taught by leading practitioners in the field of child law, child policy or human rights law:

·         Kate Akester practiced as a solicitor for ten years, before working at JUSTICE, leading on youth justice. She has been a chair and Tribunal Judge of mental health review tribunals, worked for the Home Affairs and Justice Committees of the House of Commons as sentencing guidelines adviser, and advised the Ministry of Justice. She is a leading expert in criminal law and juvenile rights.

·         Iain Byrne is policy adviser on economic, social and cultural rights with Amnesty International. Previously, he was acting Legal Practice Director and Senior Lawyer with lead responsibility for leading litigation work on economic and social rights at INTERIGHTS. He is a Fellow of the Human Rights Centre, University of Essex. He has authored a number of publications including The Human Rights of Street Children: A Practical Manual for Advocates'.

·         Madeleine Colvin is a human rights lawyer who practised as a barrister before joining Liberty and later JUSTICE as a legal policy specialist. She is a human rights consultant and a part-time Immigration Judge and convenes the certificate course programme of LSE's Centre for the Study of Human Rights.

·         Caoilfhionn Gallagher is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and one of few individuals regularly instructed for claimants in urgent community care judicial reviews. She is currently acting in a number of ground-breaking cases, including representing the children of extraditees, relying on their rights under Article 8 ECHR and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She has contributed to the leading text on Part III of the Children Act 1989, the key community care provisions for children and care-leavers: Children in Need: Local Authority Support for Children and Families (LAG, 2011).

·         Jenny Kuper is a Research Fellow at LSE who worked as a solicitor specialising in child-related law before obtaining her PhD in international law in 1996 and has taught, lectured and written two books and other materials on child law. She has also worked as a consultant, e.g. for UNICEF on law reform issues in Nepal, and for the International Committee of the Red Cross as the UK expert for the study on 'Customary International Humanitarian Law.

 

The course is co-convened by Madeleine Colvin and Jenny Kuper. They will be present throughout the two days, drawing the sessions together, encouraging participation and guiding participants thorough the subject matter. They will each also lead sessions in their areas of expertise. 

Fees and Administration

·         Standard (Standard individual rate): £750

·         LSE student, alumni and staff are entitled to a 10% discount on the standard course fee. (contact the Centre Manager for the discount code before completing the online application)

·         Concessionary (Voluntary sector organisation): £500


Book online now 

The Centre is able to offer up to five subsidised (half price, £375) places for those would otherwise be unable to attend. Those wishing to apply for a subsidised place should NOT complete the online booking form but rather, download and return the subsidised place application form (word doc).

Applications will competitively assessed after the deadline of Noon Thursday 14 March and places will be awarded on the basis of merit and financial need. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by Tuesday 26 March 2013. Successful applicants will be automatically awarded a place, which will be confirmed on payment of the remaining fee.

Please note that there are limited places available on the course. If your application for a subsidised place is not successful you will not be guaranteed a standard or concessionary place on the course. 

Discounts may also be available for group (3+) bookings from one organisation / company. Contact the Centre Manager, Zoe Gillard, to discuss.



Owner: LSEpdf: www.lse.ac.uk/humanrights

Countries

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