Together’s celebrates countdown to UNCRC incorporation!

Date: 8th April 2024
Category: General measures of implementation, Incorporation, General principles

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On the 26th of March, Together hosted a parliamentary event sponsored by Martin Whitfield MSP to celebrate the countdown to incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law, also to celebrate the recent launch of our new Strategic Plan for 2024-2032.

The evening was truly memorable with children, young people, MSPs, Scottish Government officials and individuals from different organisations joining together to trying out our various games, each designed to explore a different theme from our new Strategic Plan. A firm favourite was the “Spider Races” – designed by our Rights Detectives to highlight the important role that duty bearers (spiders) have in making sure that the incorporation ‘web’ is as strong as possible so that it catches all the flies (rights breaches).

We were honoured to have esteemed guests in attendance including young human rights defenders from our Rights Detectives, the Children’s Parliament, Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Advisors to the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, as well as Ann Skelton Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Natalie Don the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise and Martin Whitfield MSP.  

The children and young people reflected on how important the incorporation of the UNCRC into Scots law was to them and all the hard work they put into the campaign. They also spoke about their role in shaping the recent UN Committee’s concluding observations and moderating the Day of General Discussion. Their speeches were truly inspiring and resonated deeply with all attendees.  

Ann Skelton welcomed Scottish Government’s recent response to the UN Committee’s recommendations, which had been published a few days prior. She said that Scottish Government now needs to get its “green pen” out to start checking off things on this to-do list, while children and young people should get their “red pens” out, as they have an important role to play in ‘marking’ Scottish Government’s progress and should be  supported and empowered to do this.

The event ended with closing remarks from our Director Juliet Harris and a photo session with our colourful photo frame. We are developing a short video of event highlights – so keep an eye on our social media and website for this!