Coalition for Childen's Rights launched

Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello TD, today launched the Coalition for Children’s Rights.

The Coalition, which is composed of five development and humanitarian NGOs, aims to advance children’s rights in humanitarian emergencies and in long-term development programmes.  The organisations involved are Children in Crossfire, Childfund Ireland, UNICEF Ireland, Plan Ireland, and World Vision Ireland.

Speaking at the launch in Dublin today, Minister Costello said:

“We welcome the Coalition’s focus on children’s rights, particularly with regard to maternal and child health, quality education, the right to protection and gender equality.

“It is critical that the voices of children are heard in the important debates now taking place on the new agenda for international development which will shape all of our efforts after the deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015.

“Many of the priorities which the Coalition highlight are central to the Government’s  overseas development programme. We are focused on tackling hunger and under-nutrition, improving child and maternal health and increasing access to and quality of education. Indeed we support many of these organisations in their important efforts to assist children to access their basic rights 

“The launch of this Coalition, where each partner brings its individual values and abilities to bear, is very welcome. It is clear that more coordination and collaboration between organisations working in development will increase the effectiveness of all our efforts.”

ENDS

9 April 2013

• Irish Aid is the Government’s programme of overseas assistance. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.