Rights Unmuted – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Youth@CLC members Molly and Brooke interview Chris Quinn, the Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland, and Fergal McFerran, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Children's Law Centre.

They discuss where children's rights come from, what they are and how they can be better protected. They also cover topics like school uniforms, the age of criminal responsibility and votes at 16. All while the Children's Commissioner flexes his brainrot skills.

Contacts for help or advice on children's rights:

Children's Law Centre: https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/contact/

NICCY: https://www.niccy.org/contact-us/

Episode 4 of Rights Unmuted deals with children and young people's education rights.

Hosted by Youth@CLC members Molly, Isaac and Ella, topics range from special educational needs in the classroom, teaching about ending violence against women and girls, how to spot misinformation, modern languages, curriculum review and much more.

Guests include Rachel Hogan, Special Educational Needs and Disability Legal Specialist at CLC, and Conor from Secondary Students Union of NI (SSUNI).

In the third episode of Rights Unmuted, Youth@CLC members Abi, Jack and Ella chat with Youth@CLC volunteer James about mental health.

Topics include school counselling, Covid, the removal of guidance for trans young people, toxic masculinity and different support available.

Links to support services mentioned include:

• Children's Law Centre - https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/contact/
• REE Rights Responder - https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/ree-landing-page/
• ADDNI - https://addni.org/contact-us
• The Rainbow Project - https://www.rainbow-project.org/contact-us/#
• Lifeline - https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/i-need-help
• Childline - https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/
• Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/

Youth@CLC members Elodie and Weronika chat to Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick on the impact of poverty on children.

The conversation covers current pressures on children and families, school uniform costs, the draft anti-poverty strategy, paramilitary coercion and much more.

In this episode, hosts Ella and Oliver discuss global rights and the impact on children and young people across borders with guests Patrick Corrigan (NI Programme Director and Head of Nations & Regions at Amnesty International UK), alongside Mohammed Samaana who grew up in Palestine and moved to Belfast 25 years ago.

The conversation covers the ceasefire in Gaza, some background on the conflict, the impact on children and young people and other conflicts across the globe.

Episode 7 of Rights Unmuted tackles the problem or racism and racial stereotypes experienced by children in Northern Ireland.

Youth@CLC member Holly is joined by guests Samuel and Thatso from Diverse Youth NI, as well as Sara from Include Youth.

In this episode of Rights Unmuted, Youth@CLC members Lila, Emma and Sienna speak to Helen from Reclaim the Agenda.

The episode tackles a hard hitting conversation around ending violence against women and girls. The discussion ranges from education in schools, the crisis facing women and girls in Northern Ireland, the influence of online platforms and what young people can do to end violence against women and girls.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses some distressing detail in relation to violence against women.