The New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network attended the 3rd edition of the International Summer Course on the Rights of the Child organized by the Office of Child and Youth Advocate, which took place at the University of Moncton 11 to 18 July 2014.

The course is an annual event that includes a bilingual education program on children rights by focusing on an article of United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This year the chosen article was Article 12 of the Convention, the right of the children to express their views freely and to be heard in all matters that affect them. This theme was discussed throughout the course with several renowned individuals working in the field, among others, Marie Derain, Children’s Ombudsman of the French Republic, Lucy McSweeney, Children’s Lawyer, Office of the Children’s Lawyer of Ontario, Cheryl Heykoop, Child participation and Protection Advisor and Research Associate at Makerere University.

Article 12 of the Convention covers a wide range of disciplines, therefore the topics discussed varied from the responsibility to create spaces in which children can express themselves, the right to speak in court proceedings (for example, in case of divorce), the right to speak in Truth Commissions (after a conflict or war), etc.

This course allows a vast and interesting experience regarding the practices in respect to the rights of children to express themselves and to be heard in various aspects of life in different jurisdictions, whether provincial, national and international.