The Commissioner for Children have announced that they will be hosting the annual ‘Rights 4U’ course from Friday 10th July until Sunday 12th July, in which young people aged 13-15 will be taught the rights which are due to them under the UN Convention on the rights of the child. The theme for the course this year is ‘Giving Young People a Voice,’ and will focus on young people’s right to participation.

The right to participation, and to express views and opinions, is one which is often taken for granted. For a large number of the population, the idea of having decisions taken for them, which will profoundly affect their lives, and which is done with very limited consideration of their views and opinions, is unacceptable. This is, quite rightly, considered as a breach of human rights. And yet this is often not given a second thought when it occurs to children. It is important to foster the realization that children also have rights, which must be accorded due respect by adults who will listen to what young people have to say.

The Rights 4U course will be held at Manresa House, Triq Santa Duminka, Victoria (Gozo).

The Bishop of Gozo Mgr. Mario Grech visited on Friday evening, the 10th of July. Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono will be visiting the young people on the afternoon of Saturday, the 11th of July at 5pm, in order to hear the presentations and ideas of the young people in the course.

Justyne Caruana MP will also visit the children at some point during the weekend. Dr. Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information visited on Friday evening, the 10th of July.