The Human Rights Unit at the College of Mass Communication, University of Baghdad, organized a scientific workshop titled “The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Protecting Children’s Rights: From Awareness to Empowerment.” The workshop was presented by Assistant Lecturer Amlan Abbas Mohsen, with the participation of a select group of the college’s students.
The workshop addressed a number of key topics, foremost among them the concept of children’s rights and the most important national and international laws and regulations that guarantee their protection. It also highlighted the pivotal role of families, educational institutions, and civil society organizations in safeguarding children’s dignity and ensuring their healthy psychological and social development.
The lecturer presented several successful community initiatives that have contributed to spreading a culture of child protection and reducing instances of violence, neglect, and exploitation.
The workshop saw active student engagement through discussions and questions focusing on practical mechanisms for empowering children, the role of media in highlighting their issues, and creating responsible media discourse that raises societal awareness about children’s rights and contributes to their protection.
The workshop concluded with several recommendations, including intensifying awareness programs within educational institutions regarding children’s rights, strengthening partnerships between colleges of mass communication and civil society organizations to produce media content supporting childhood issues, supporting initiatives aimed at children’s psychological and social empowerment, enforcing relevant laws and regulations, and encouraging students to conduct media research that serves children’s rights and human rights causes.
This workshop aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, contributing to a safe and supportive environment for children’s rights in society.
