Children’s Rights Week was held for the first time at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, bringing together students, experts, and practitioners committed to advancing the rights of children.
The week-long event featured a series of insightful lectures led by Dr. Elvis Fokala, Manager of the Children’s Rights Unit at the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, and Ms. Barbara Strasser, Children’s Rights Manager at the Global Campus of Human Rights. The sessions covered a wide range of key topics, including:
Introduction & Historical Background of Children’s Rights
Normative Frameworks and Standards on Children’s Rights
Legal Framework and Relevant Provisions
Children Affected by Armed Conflict
Critical Issues in Child Protection
Children’s Rights & Parental Separation
Children in Conflicts & Crises: Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Children Deprived of Liberty in the Administration of Juvenile Justice
Practical Skills: Working with Children in Situations of Distress
Child Rights Litigation
Child Rights & Advocacy
Lectures sparked lively discussions and encouraged active group work, allowing students from the MA Programme in Human Rights and Sustainability to engage critically and creatively with real-world challenges.
In addition to the main lecturers, guest speakers enriched the program with specialized sessions:
Ms. Meerim Osmonalieva presented on Child Trafficking in the Context of Migration
Dr. Jyldyz Tegizbekova addressed Digital Safety of Children, Cybersecurity, and Digital Profiling
Ms.Strasser was interviewed for the “Ray of Light” podcast filmed in the frame of Children’s Rights project by GC Central Asia.
The week concluded with a Children’s Rights Workshop specially designed for members of the child-led leadership team. This interactive session focused on amplifying youth voices, co-creating advocacy goals, and brainstorming actionable steps for promoting children’s rights locally and regionally.
