Media Release
12 March 2009

Child-friendly city expert visits Manukau

International expert Dr Christoph Baker will offer an insight into how to provide a child-friendly approach to policy making and planning when he visits Manukau later this month.

Dr Baker works for UNICEF as the Assistant to the Executive Director of the Italian Committee and is responsible for the Child-friendly Cities initiative. Since 1993 he has worked prevalently in the field of advocacy and promotion of child and youth rights.

UNICEF, together with Te Ora o Manukau – Manukau the Healthy City’s Child Advocacy Group, have organised two seminars to give community agencies and council staff whose activities impact on children and youth in Manukau a chance to hear Dr Baker speak. Both events are on Tuesday, 24 March.

The first is a lunchtime seminar between 12noon and 1pm at the Manukau Room, Manukau City Council, 31 to 33 Wiri Station Road. This is followed by a discussion forum at 2pm at the Manurewa Marae, 81 Finlayson Avenue in Clendon. Joining Dr Baker at the forum will be Children’s Commissioner Cindy Kiro and other experts on children’s issues.

Child Advocacy Coordinator for Manukau Alison Searle is excited by Dr Baker’s visit.
“With 36 per cent of its population aged less than 19 years, Manukau has the youngest population of any New Zealand city. To provide a happy healthy environment for our children it is important that they are given a voice in the future planning and development of our city.

“I encourage all those who work with children and youth in Manukau to come along and make the most of this rare opportunity to hear Dr Baker speak”.

Booking for the seminar and forum is essential. Please RSVP to Alison.searle@manukau.govt.nz stating which event you wish to attend.

ENDS

© Scoop Media