The Ryan Commission Report and Children in the Republic of Ireland: Where Do We Go From Here?
Tuesday 23rd June 2009, 14:30-17:00

Following the report of the Ryan Commission, there has been much talk of the need for compensation and other forms of redress for victims of the appalling abuses in religious-controlled institutions in the Republic. The situation and prospects of victims are key issues and it is only fitting that they be the central focus of current discussions in society, political circles, the media and elsewhere. However, it is also crucial to harness lessons learnt from past abuses to inform future action involving children. How can the public outrage and momentum generated by the report be used to benefit current and future children in Ireland? Bearing in mind the limited scope of the recommendations made by the Ryan Commission, the Research Forum for the Child and Human Rights Centre at the School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast, are co-hosting an afternoon seminar on 'The Ryan Commission Report and Children in the Republic of Ireland: Where Do We Go From Here?' on 23 June 2009.  

The key element of this seminar will be a roundtable discussion, involving all attendees, focussed on developing an ‘alternative’ set of concrete, future-oriented recommendations. The event will also include a number of short presentations aimed at generating group discussion and exchange. Speakers will include Carl O’Brien (Social Affair Correspondent, Irish Times), Dr Padraic Whyte (Research Fellow Institute of Irish Studies, QUB), Ms Nicola Carr (School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work, QUB, formerly of the Children’s Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin) and Dr Aoife Nolan (Assistant Director, Human Rights Centre, School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast).

The event is open to all but, due to logistical reasons, spaces are limited. For catering purposes, we would ask those who are interested in attending to please RSVP to d.p.coyle@qub.ac.uk.  The event will be held in room LAN/G9, which is located in the Lanyon Building at Queen’s University Belfast. We look forward to seeing you on 23 June.