UON Academics shape young children’s rights across the globe

Students across the world are gaining expert insights into the rights of young children, thanks to a new international handbook with major contributions from University of Northampton academics Dr Jane Murray, Dr Eunice Lumsden and Dr Cristina Devecchi.

Published to commemorate 30 years since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which unites Governments across the world in their commitment to giving every child the right to survival, protection and education, The Routledge International Handbook of Young Children’s Rights reflects on the status of children aged 0–8 years around the world, how their rights are respected or neglected, and how we may move forward.

Edited by the University of Northampton’s Dr Jane Murray with Beth Blue Swadener and Kylie Smith, and including chapters from Northampton’s Dr Eunice Lumsden and Dr Cristina Devecchi, this textbook will support students, practitioners, policymakers and academics in early childhood education, social work and children’s healthcare to understand better the global picture on the rights of children.

Dr Jane Murray, Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton said: “Across the globe, it is widely recognised that early childhood is important now and for our future. Internationally, great progress has been made in the past 30 years to give many more children access to education, health and protection. However, sadly the needs, rights and voices of too many children continue to be overlooked. Those working in education, health and social care policy and practice must collaborate to overcome barriers to young children’s rights in order to support young children to flourish.”

Containing sections on policy, along with rights to young children’s protection, provision and participation, this book combines discussions of children’s rights and early childhood development and investigates the crucial link between the two.