Law and Communication Came Together for Children’s Rights
Izmir University of Economics (IUE), one of the executors of the ACAR Project, implemented with the financial support of the European Union to raise social awareness about children's rights, hosted two comprehensive events addressing children's rights from both communication and legal perspectives. Representatives from the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (TIHEK), the Ombudsman Institution (KDK), and UNICEF attended the events, where academics, students, and expert guests evaluated child advocacy and the representation of children in the media.
Under the project titled Accountability for Children, Advocacy for Rights (ACAR), the first event was a panel titled ‘Children’s Rights in the Context of Current Issues: Monitoring, Advocacy, and Applications’, organized by the IUE Faculty of Law. It emphasized that protecting children's rights is a fundamental requirement of the rule of law. Moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Arslan and attended by Dean Prof. Dr. Sevilay Uzunallı, the event highlighted the importance of effectively monitoring children's rights and preventing violations. Speakers included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgün Özyüksel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özlem Canbeldek Akın, Dr. Meriç Karagözler, Atty. Gamze Karaoğlu, TIHEK representative Sevde Şengül, and KDK representative Fatmagül Dobada.
ATTENTION DRAWN TO THE ROLE OF YOUTH
The second gathering, titled ‘Children’s Rights Advocacy and Communication: UNICEF, Academia, and Youth’, was hosted by the IUE Faculty of Communication. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Altuğ Akın (project coordinator on behalf of Izmir University of Economics) and joined by Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Gökçen Karanfil and Head of Public Relations and Advertising Department Prof. Dr. Selin Türkel, the program evaluated the importance of communication in children's rights advocacy and the role of youth in this field. UNICEF Communication Director Dr. Faik Uyanık also participated in the panel, which focused on the responsibilities of communication professionals. Continuing with questions from students, the session discussed the roles that academia and young people can play in advocating for children's rights.
“IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT RIGHTS FIND REFLECTION IN DAILY LIFE”
Stating that children's rights are one of the most concrete indicators of a society's value for human rights, justice, and equality, Dean of IUE Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Sevilay Uzunallı said, “Strengthening a legal mindset centered on the best interests of the child requires not only protecting children, but also enabling them to freely express their opinions on matters concerning their lives and taking their views into account in decision-making processes. Therefore, as much as securing children's rights by law is vital, the extent to which these rights are reflected in daily life is equally important. There is a need for strong cooperation among the legal world, public institutions, academia, and civil society to raise awareness. I find this panel extremely valuable in bringing together the knowledge and experience of different institutions on the same platform to evaluate issues related to children's rights comprehensively.”
“WE MUST MAKE MORE ROOM FOR CHILDREN’S VOICES”
Emphasizing that communication professionals bear a great responsibility when it comes to children’s rights, Prof. Dr. Gökçen Karanfil, Dean of Faculty of Communication, said, “Creating social awareness about children's rights comes not just from explaining what these rights are, but from questioning how we view children, how we represent them, and how much room we make for their voices. Today, media and digital communication environments have a powerful impact on shaping society's perception of children. Children must be seen not merely as individuals in need of protection, but as social subjects with their own thoughts, experiences, and rights. At this point, communication professionals bear an important ethical and social responsibility. Especially in an era where children's visibility in digital media is increasing, developing a communication approach that respects their privacy, safety, and dignity is critical.”
“WE REACHED OVER 400 MEDIA PROFESSIONALS”
Prof. Dr. Altuğ Akın, Faculty Member at Department of New Media & Communication, and ACAR Project Lead for IUE, shared details about the project which has been ongoing for nearly two years, saying, “Within the scope of the ACAR Project, which organizes training for media and non-governmental organizations alongside academic studies, over 400 media professionals were reached across Izmir, Ankara, Diyarbakır, Van, and Istanbul. Journalists and media workers gathered in workshops focusing on child-rights-focused journalism, ethical representation, and media responsibility. Additionally, civil society workshops in Izmir, Ankara, and Antalya included numerous representatives from over 200 institutions. We consider this project led by our University to be extremely valuable in strengthening cooperation between media, civil society, and academia to expand rights-based practices and awareness.”
