The right to discover - Children's Week 2015

The theme of this year’s Children’s Week in Western Australia is ‘the right to discover’.

Taken from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the right to discover refers to the rights of children to get and to share information, as long as that information is not damaging to them or to others.

This right to get and to share information is central to my role as Commissioner for Children and Young People. Throughout the year I have the privilege of meeting many children and young people, listening to them sharing information about their lives and what they need to make Western Australia a better place for our younger generation.

I use the information that is shared with me in various ways. For the 1,271 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who took part in my consultation, their views have shaped the development of a landmark report which was tabled in Parliament and widely circulated to both government and non-government organisations working directly with these children. I am now working towards ensuring their views will lead to practical improvements in policy and service delivery for our Aboriginal children and young people.

Children and young people have valuable perspectives to share on issues that impact on their lives. Children’s Week is an opportunity for the wider community to celebrate the 586,000 children and young people living in WA and to highlight their many achievements.

Later this week I am looking forward to attending the WA Children’s Week Awards to award the Commissioner’s art prize. I will also host an important forum for parents, carers and people working with young people on addressing bullying behaviour.

I am pleased to once again support the activities organised by Meerilinga as part of Children’s Week 2015 and wish everyone an enjoyable and successful week.