Cornwall Council has formally adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Council leader Leigh Frost joins members of Cornwall Youth Council to sign the paperwork officially adopting UNCRC. He is pictured next to Rose, chair of Cornwall Youth Council
The Convention provides a global framework that sets out and protects the rights of every child, recognising them as individuals with their own rights, not just as dependents of adults.
It exists to give children unique rights that protect them and create opportunities to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.
Cllr Leigh Frost, leader of Cornwall Council, signed the paperwork officially adopting UNCRC alongside members of Cornwall Youth Council.
Adopting the UNCRC in Cornwall will ensure that:
- Children’s best interests are considered in all policies and actions;
- Children’s voices are heard and taken seriously in decisions that affect them; and
- Services promote children’s health, education, safety, and equality.
“The UNCRC is vital because it protects vulnerable groups and sets out how children should be treated in important decisions,” said Bradley, a 15-year-old member of Cornwall Youth Council and a Member of the Youth Parliament. “Children’s rights aren’t about doing whatever you want — they’re about respect, awareness, and being treated fairly.
“Learning about children’s rights gave me the confidence to speak up, learn to make decisions, and take on roles I never imagined before. Being in a rights-respecting school made everyone more aware of the UNCRC and how we should treat each other.”
