Northern
Ireland's first Commissioner for Children and Young People, Nigel Williams
made his first visit to the city on Wednesday 12th November to launch
'We've Got the Right' at the Nerve Centre - a video made by local children.
The video, which focuses on the rights of the child was a partnership
project between Derry Children's Commission and the Nerve Centre and was
made by children from the Fountain and Long Tower schools in the city.
The Commissioner, who grew up in Limavady and whose father worked in Derry
established common ground with the children present beginning with his
own memories of the city as a child - playing on the walls, learning to
swim and buying his first pair of football boots. He went on to commend
the children's video project:
"Because you made the video, it was really child centred. Of course,
some adults helped - but you were the stars. So it really reflected the
Convention on the Rights of The Child, and especially Article 12 where
it talks about children expressing their views. Secondly, the video shows
that children's rights need to be real. It can sound a bit vague and wishy-washy
to talk about rights, but you made it real by talking about playgrounds,
and road safety, and going to see the Mayor. Thirdly, I was struck by
how powerful your voice was. You see the Lady Mayor listened and wanted
to do something about what you said."
The production was a partnership between Derry Children's Commission and
the Nerve Centre and children were involved in all aspects of the filming.
As well as being the undisputed stars of the production, the children
did a lot of the camera work themselves. The result is an upbeat stomp
around the city in a film that is a quirky and insightful, illustrating
of the rights of the child.
One of the young filmmakers Ben Porter aged 10 commented: "It was
great…
but it was really hard work, I didn't realise that it takes hours and
hours of filming to make a 12 minute video."
Given that the children were from an interface area, the issue of community
division is raised in interesting ways that are totally from the child's
perspective. A playground full of broken glass after a Glasgow football
match, for example speaks volumes about the impact of sectarian division
on children. The children found a lot of shared experience as well in
the dismal lack of places to play in either area, in their exploration
of culture and tradition and in their determination to have their voices
heard.
Clionagh Boyle, Director of Derry Children's Commission said: "We
are delighted to welcome the Commissioner to the city at this early stage
and the children involved are justifiably proud of the video that they
have made.
"It is very appropriate that the theme of the video is children looking
at aspects of their everyday lives here and relating these to the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child. A key role of the new Commissioner, and one
that he is very enthusiastic about is listening to children and young
people and video is a great medium for children's self expression."
Another of the young film makers, Jordan-Marie Curley aged 11 added: "
I thought the video project was just going to be a bit of fun but it opened
up a whole new world to me. I loved this because my voice was finally
heard."
'We've Got the Right' children's video project was funded by the Community
Foundation for Northern Ireland, Social Justice Initiatives. The work
of Derry Children's Commission is supported by the Community Fund, BBC
Children in Need, Save the Children, WHSSB and Derry City Council, DSD
Active Communities Initiative and CFNI PEACE II.
