Abney Garsden McDonald solicitors
(est.'d 1985)

Quarriers Conference

We attended the Quarriers Conference in the beautiful town of Bath Somerset. on 11th November 2005, which coincidentally was Remembrance Day. The title was "Children's Rights v. Press Freedom. Who wins?"

The conference was one of the best organised, most entertaining, varied day I have ever experienced in the field of Child Abuse. Tribute must go to Quarriers and their administration. Most sessions took the form of a panel session hosted by capable individuals, including the war correspondent, Martin Bell amongst others. John Sweeney the well known correspondent also made an appearance.

The Key Note speech was from Tessa Jowell MP. She discussed ways in which government was trying to adjust the balance of press freedom against protection of children from the damaging effects of the press, when insensitively treated.

UNICEF sent representatives, who spoke of international efforts to give children a proper voice. The whole event was organised by Media Wise who illustrated interesting statistics, which showed that children were more often demonised for their behaviour than praised for their achievements.

The Media department of a local college filmed the whole conference and broadcast it live onto a screen behind the podium. Children's Express, a child organised children's media organisation from London, interviewed participators and gave a report at the end.

Abney Garsden McDonald had a stand, with a Powerpoint presentation and leaflets to distribute. Several contributors expressed interest.

All in all it was a most enjoyable, if not exhausting day, which left one feeling inspired, but humbled by the passion of the contributors to such an important subject.

AGM hope to assist with the Quarriers next project - Historical Child Abuse in the Spring of 2006.

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