Academic travels to Malta to stress the importance of children's rights

Professor Phil Jones presented research and spoke at the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society in Malta in November 2018.

At the 'National Wellbeing Conference: Achieving Meaningful and Purposeful participation' Professor Jones gave the keynote speech entitled ‘Rethinking Children’s Rights: From Resistance to Agendas for Change’, highlighting the shift in attitudes towards the importance of children’s rights and child participation in policy development.  

Whilst in Malta, Professor Jones spent a day with children discussing issues that may concern them.

During his speech, Professor Jones expressed that "we cannot assume children’s experiences through adults eyes. Adult power would undermine children’s rights as these adults differentiate between children who do have rights and those who don’t such as children with disabilities."

During the conference Professor Jones launched the new edition of his book ‘Rethinking Children’s Rights’ at the President’s palace which included an audience with the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca who started this foundation in 2014.

Professor Jones was heavily involved in the programming throughout. He facilitated a half day workshop with the Children's Council of Malta to co-develop joint work with the UK which resulted in a co-presentation at the President's Foundation Conference.

Professor Jones was also a part of a panel and participated in meetings with the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and Malta's National Institute for Childhood to develop a research project where children act as researchers. This joint project is linked to both organisations’ Policy Document and the Children's Council workshops.

Links

• View Professor Phil Jones' research page 
• Rethinking Children's Rights: Attitudes in Contempory Society
• Children should be involved in decisions that affect them - Times of Malta 
• Department of Learning and Leadership