Save the Children's Keith Towler appointed as Children's Commissioner for Wales

Save the Children is delighted that Keith Towler, Programme Director for Save the Children Wales, has been appointed to the post of Children's Commissioner for Wales by Children's Minister Jane Hutt.

Wednesday 12 December 2007

Save the Children were instrumental in calling for the establishment of a Children's Commissioner in Wales and in creating the first such post in the UK in 2001 when Peter Clarke was appointed. The organisation worked closely with Peter on several issues, before his untimely death from cancer in January 2007.

Keith Towler was appointed as Programme Director for Save the Children in Wales in May 2006 with overall responsibility for Save the Children's work in Wales including policy, advocacy, campaign, research and direct work with children and young people on poverty, protection, education, child rights and participation.

Keith's work with Save the Children includes striving to end child poverty in Wales and enabling young children to voice their concerns to leading government members such as First Minister Rhodri Morgan and The Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain.

He is also the current Chair of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Monitoring Group for Wales.

The Group recently published the Wales 'Alternative Report' on progress on child rights, which will be submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2008.

Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive of Save the Children, said:  "We are delighted at the news of Keith Towler's appointment as Children's Commissioner for Wales. He has helped to improve the lives of thousands of vulnerable children as Director of Save the Children's Wales programme, and it is great news his talents will be put to use in this important new post. We would like to thank him for all his hard work for Save the Children, and look forward to working with him closely in his capacity as Children's Commissioner."

Keith Towler said: "Working for Save the Children has given me a real grounding in understanding children's rights and I've learnt a tremendous amount from the work of the organisation and its commitment to changing children's lives.

"I'm really excited by the opportunity and look forward to working with children and young people across Wales. Good progress has been made on children's rights in Wales but so much remains to be done and I look forward to become a part of that work."

Bookmark this page with: