United Nations rapporteur Lucy Smith got a taste of a traditional Welsh valleys summer when she visited Merthyr Tydfil to meet with Funky Dragon reps and young people from the local area (it rained).
A rapporteur is someone who visits countries and reports back to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Accompanied by the Children’s commissioner Kieth Towler she heard evidence from Funky Dragon’s Our Rights Our Story (OROS) report and from the Merthyr young people about what it is like living in one of Europe’s most deprived areas.
First glimpsed across a rain soaked courtyard on the Gurnos Lucy braved the weather again, after the evidence session, for a guided tour of the estate. The session itself was an eye opener for all concerned with the OROS report getting a full airing. Subjects covered were bullying, play and participation amongst others.
Later on Lucy joined us for the traditional Welsh valleys pizza, special meal deal with free soft drink refills and up to four toppings plus side dishes/starters (bargain).
This prepared her for the official business at the Senedd the following day. Speakers included first minister Rhodri Morgan, minister for Children, Education Lifelong Learning and Skills Jane Hutt, children’s commissioner, Keith Towler and Lucy herself. It was the last stage in the OROS reporting process which has seen Funky Dragon reps travelling across Wales and Europe to produce the most reliable survey of the opinions of Welsh young people ever undertaken.
Lucy’s visit is the latest stage in the process of reporting which takes place every five years. Funky Dragon took the opinions of over 14,000 children and young people in order to put together a report about the state of children’s rights in Wales. The report has been presented to the Welsh Assembly Government and the United Nations and its recommendations are being studied carefully.