Independent Expert Activities June 2005 | The United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence Against Children

Independent Expert Activities June 2005

30-4 July

Field Visit, Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)

Photo: Study Secretariat/2005

The Independent Expert met with various government and civil society representatives both in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In Bethlehem, the Expert participated in the international conference “Kids Behind Bars" promoted by Defence for Children International. He also met with children of the Gaza Municipal Council and with children assisted by the psycho-social emergency team in Rafah.

14-16

Opening of the East Asia and Pacific Regional Consultation on Violence Against Children

Youth Delegate Present Recommendations at the Opening Ceremony

Margarita Harou, 17 from Papua New Guinea, along with other under 18 delegates present their recommendations at the opening plenary of the East Asia and Pacific Regional Consultation on Violence Against Children. She is one of 26 children from 14 countries who are participating in the Consultation.

Anupama Rao Singh, Regional Director urges the highest levels of Government to take the issue of Violence against Children seriously.

Opening Ceremony of the Regional Consultation

Independent Expert Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, appointed by the UN Secretary–General to lead the study, at the opening of the East Asia and Pacific Regional Consultation on Violence Against Children

During the three-day meeting, 250 delegates are discussing how violence affects children in different locations including in the home and the family, in the school, in conflict with the law, in institutions, in the work place, in the street and in cyberspace and virtual settings.

They will discuss experiences, evidence and research from countries in the East Asia and Pacific region, along with best practices and key strategies for prevention, intervention and recovery. The findings will then be incorporated into the global study being put together in Geneva.

4	Field Visit, Canada

In Toronto, the Independent Expert visited a women’s transition house, where children were housed with their mothers. He also visited the Kinark Syl Apps Youth Centre and the Youth Crime Reduction Programme.