United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Resource Hub
CCEA and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) have partnered to create this child rights resource hub for teachers and pupils.
Its aim is to provide a range of resources that will help to tell children and young people about their rights, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). You can find out more about the UNCRC, its relevance to the curriculum, and importance for young people.
All these workshops and exercises are free to use, and more will be added as they become available.
Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing
To explore the important issue of Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing, Koulla Yiasouma, the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and CCEA joined together to host the third live chat for primary and post primary pupils and their teachers. Koulla was joined in the studio by Victoria Murphy from ChildLine and two young people - Orlagh Marley from the NICCY Youth Panel and Megan McConnell from the Belfast City Council Youth Forum and the Elephant in the Room project.
This webinar gave pupils the chance to ask a panel of their peers and experts questions about mental health and wellbeing issues. You will find below, the two video recordings of the webinars (primary and post-primary). Almost 90 schools registered to take part in the webinars. Reports from the two sessions will follow once we have complied all the answers to all the questions asked, but were not able to be answer during the time available.
For more information on the promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Northern Ireland Curriculum please visit our resource.
Update: CCEA/NICCY Webinar: 'Children and Young People Living in a Digital Environment', 21st June 2019
To explore the topical theme of Children and Young People Living in a Digital Environment, Koulla Yiasouma, the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and CCEA joined together to host the second live chat for primary and post primary pupils and teachers. Koulla was joined in the studio by Wayne Denner and two members of the NICCY Youth Panel, Hanna Sabu and Abby Horner, who both asked and answered questions during the webinar. Wayne is an expert on the challenges children and young people encounter in a digital world. He helps pupils learn how to better protect themselves online and how to use social media and digital technology responsibly so they can enjoy the fully benefits and opportunities that it offers.
Children and Young People Living in a Digital Environment
The opening animation, Digital Footprint is courtesy of the BBC OWN IT series.
Pupils explored the topic by sending in questions directly to the panel. These ranged from the opportunities the digital world brings to the dangers it can present. The discussions covered areas such as:
- How digital skills and the digital environment are key aspects of the Northern Ireland Curriculum;
- How technology can support and improve learning experiences;
- Safe internet use, including cyberbullying, digital footprints and the right to privacy;
- Social media and its effects on relationships and self-esteem; and
- Media literacy such as spotting fake news.
A full report of the FAQs and additional information will be added at a later date.
The NI Commissioner and CCEA celebrate United Nations Universal Children’s Day, 20th November 2018
United Nations Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20th each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide and improving children's welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
To celebrate the 2018 Universal Children’s Day, Koulla Yiasouma, the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and CCEA joined together to host her first ever live chat for primary and post primary teachers and pupils to learn more about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Koulla was joined in the studio by two members of the NICCY Youth Panel, Matthew Robinson and Aideen McHugh, who both asked and answered questions during the webinar.
As an understanding of children’s rights and the UNCRC are key aspects of the PD&MU (Personal Development and Mutual Understanding) and LLW (Learning for Life & Work) curricula, pupils had the chance to explore and ask questions about issues affecting them and to find out more about how their lives are governed and how they can participate to improve the quality of their own lives.
Over 40 schools logged into the live webinar and asked over 120 questions during 2 sessions, one for primary aged pupils and one for post-primary aged pupils. During these 2 sessions, the Commissioner, Aideen and Matthew answered as many questions as time allowed. Koulla promised to work through and answer all questions asked. The links below will take you to the two video recordings of the webinars (primary and post-primary) and the two reports (primary and post-primary) compiling answers to all the questions asked.
