Submitted by crinadmin on
The overall point of departure for the
Clearinghouse's efforts with respect
to children and media violence is the UN
Convention on the Rights of the
Child. In this context, articles 13 and
17 are crucial. In 1997, The Nordic Information Centre for Media and Communication Research, Nordicom Göteborg University Sweden, began establishment of The International Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media (formerly the UNESCO International Clearinghouse on Children and Violence on the Screen), financed by the Swedish government and UNESCO. The overall point of departure for the Clearinghouse's efforts with respect to children, youth and media is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Background During the 1990's, several discussions in the world emphasised the importance of establishing an international centre for knowledge on children and media, with special attention to media violence. This question was given particular attention in 1995 in Lund, Sweden, during an international conference on media violence and the rights of the child that was arranged by the Swedish Commission for UNESCO and the Swedish Committee for UNICEF. The Swedish government and UNESCO showed particular interest in carrying the question further. Nordicom was asked to take responsibility for the establishment of this clearinghouse. Aims The aim of the Clearinghouse is to increase awareness and knowledge about children, youth and media, thereby providing a basis for relevant policy-making, contributing to a constructive public debate, and enhancing children's and young people's media literacy and media competence. Moreover, it is hoped that the Clearinghouse's work will stimulate further research on children, youth and media. The International Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media informs various groups of users researchers, policy-makers, media professionals, voluntary organisations, teachers, students and interested individuals.