The Rights of the Child UK Coalition (ROCK)Conference 2024

This year’s Rights of the Child UK (ROCK) conference will explore how the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is being progressed across the UK jurisdictions and Jersey. Speakers and delegates will explore recent developments and assess opportunities to further embed the UNCRC into law, policy and practice. Join us to share learning about what’s happening in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Jersey, as well as international examples.

This year’s conference will be hosted by Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights), in partnership with ROCK steering group members: Children’s Rights Alliance for England, Children in Wales, Wales UNCRC Monitoring Group, Children’s Law Centre and UNICEF UK.

The conference will take place on Tuesday 17th September at the City Art Centre, 2 Market St, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE.

We would like to thank Cattanach for their generous funding for the ROCK Coalition which has made this year’s conference possible.

This significant event will bring together key stakeholders from Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Jersey, as well as international experts in children’s rights.

The conference aims to:

• Highlight the importance of strengthening children’s human rights protections in domestic legislation, at both devolved and UK-wide levels
• Provide an update on developments across the UK and internationally, and allow for learning between jurisdictions
• Re-engage supporters in efforts to strengthen domestic legal frameworks to protect and progress UNCRC implementation
• Build networks and partnerships between ROCK members to support proactive advocacy in support of children’s human rights in law.

Registration will be from 09:30. The conference will begin at 10:00 and end at 16:00.

Speakers will include government officials, Children’s Commissioners and civil society organisations, alongside international experts. We will use their contributions to prompt discussions on how we can strengthen children’s rights protection in each of our jurisdictions and at UK-level.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Juliet Harris, Director, Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)
• Sean O’Neill, Policy Director, Children in Wales, Wales UNCRC Monitoring Group
• Paddy Kelly, Director, Children's Law Centre
• Louise King, Director, Children’s Rights Alliance for England, part of Just for Kids Law
• Dragan Nastic, Strategic Lead - UNCRC, Unicef UK

The ROCK Conference welcomes all those with an interest in progressing children's rights, including children and young people, NGOs, public sector organisations, academics, legal professionals, Children's Commissioners' offices, think tanks, civil servants, government officials, parliamentarians and policymakers.

The conference is free to attend, but registration is required.

Places will be confirmed four weeks prior to the conference, with priority given to ROCK members. Please await confirmation before making any travel plans.

For more information, contact [email protected] or call 0131 5101565.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom