Lecture Children’s Rights

“Children's rights and the future of the UN Treaty Body System”

Lecture in hybrid mode on 13 June, from 13.30-15.00h. 

The lecture will be given by Dr. Philip Veerman, a distinguished figure in the field of children’s rights, will talk about “Children's rights and the future of the UN Treaty Body System”. We invite students, researchers, practitioners and other interested persons to reflect critically on the current state of children’s rights and research. 

Dr. Veerman (Amsterdam, 1948) brings with him a lifetime of experience. He is an expert in children’s rights, health-psychology and (special) education. He initiated several new child welfare organisations in the Netherlands and developed international children’s rights initiatives. Philip Veerman still works as a psychologists with young people at the Youth Intervention Team (with young people who come out of a situation of homelessness) in the Hague and sees young people at JIT WONEN, an assisted secure living place in the Hague. He also works in a mental health outpatient clinic (NUGGZ).

Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Veerman:

• Was elected President of the International Executive Council of DCI in Geneva (1997-2002). In this capacity he was part of the Steering Committee of the International Coalition against Child Soldiers (later called Child Soldiers International) in London and visited Sierra Leone in the civil war establishing a Section of DCI in Sierra Leone and pleading for an Optional Protocol (to the UN Convention on the Rights if the Child) against the use of Child Soldiers.

• Co-founded the Israeli section of Defence for Children International (DCI), an international organization for children’s rights headquartered in Geneva, where he introduced legal defense for minors in juvenile and military courts. He also pioneered with civil society joint projects of Israeli and Palestinian NGIOs. 

• Launched innovative child welfare initiatives in the Netherlands, including Browndale homes for emotionally distressed children and a foster grandparent program for institutionalized children with disabilities. He started the Therapeutic Foster Family Project (TGV) in Rotterdam. 

• Served as a forensic psychologist for Dutch courts for over a decade, doing psycxhologiccal evaluations for the Investigating Judge or Prosecutors. 

• Was the founder of the International Journal of Children’s Rights (now in Volume 33).
   

   

In addition to his hands-on work, Dr. Veerman has remained deeply engaged in the intellectual and historical development of children’s rights. He co-authored the 2024 publication ‘One century of children’s rights: a legacy and an international commitment that stands the test of time / Un siècle de droits de l’enfant : un héritage et un engagement international à l’épreuve du temps’  a reflection on the centenary of the 1924 Geneva Declaration and the 2025 publication ‘One century of children’s rights: a legacy and an international commitment that stand the test of time’ . Read his publications via this link.

His lecture on 13 June will draw from this broad expertise, asking critical questions: What can be the direction of childen’s rights in the light of the changing world order? What are the challenges?

This event promises to be a valuable opportunity for anyone engaged in the fields of human rights, childhood studies, social justice, or international development.