Donegal teen the leading voice at national conference on children’s rights

Prof Phillip D. Jaffé (Vice chair UN Committee on the Rights of the Child), Karolina Byrne, Dr Niall Muldoon

placeholder image — Prof Phillip D. Jaffé (Vice chair UN Committee on the Rights of the Child), Karolina Byrne, Dr Niall Muldoon

Karolina Byrne from Glenties, 16, played an extremely important role on the day hosting the event and panelling a discussion between the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon and Prof Phillip D. Jaffé, a UN Committee member

Sixteen-year-old Karolina Byrne from Glenties hosted a national conference on children’s rights which was attended by over 100 people from all over the country at Croke Park in Dublin.

‘Pieces of Us – What’s Next?’ was an event run by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office and attended by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Karolina played an extremely important role on the day hosting the event and panelling a discussion between the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon and Prof Phillip D. Jaffé, a UN Committee member.

“We were delighted to have Karolina and the other members of our Youth Advisory Panel involved in this important children’s rights conference,” the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, said. “They asked strong and challenging questions, particularly in relation to children’s mental health and how Ireland is ensuring that all children have equal opportunities.”

It is a report which highlights the voices of the 5,515 children who took part in a national online survey and 200 who participated in focus groups. It was presented to the UN Committee in 2022 by the Youth Advisory Panel and this event is an opportunity for children to have their say on what should happen next.

Pieces of US – What’s Next was an event where 100 children got the chance to share their views on what the Government should now prioritise for children.