Prof. Dr. Ton Liefaard of Leiden University to Deliver Public Lecture at TSU

On November 20, at 6pm, Prof. Dr. Ton Liefaard of Leiden University will deliver a public lecture “Children deprived of their liberty: international children’s rights and local challenges” at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU). Giorgi Sharvashidze, Rector of TSU; Laila Omar Gad, UNICEF Representative in Georgia; Jos Douma, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Georgia; Peter Danis, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Georgia; Tea Tsulukiani, Justice Minister of Georgia; Kakha Kakhishvili, Minister of Corrections of Georgia; Nino Gvenetadze, Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Georgia; Ucha Nanuashvili, Public Defender; academics and students will attend the event. 

The lecture will be delivered within the framework of the Cleveringa meetings, organized by the Leiden University Fund (LUF) to commemorate the protest speech given by Professor Cleveringa and to foster relations with alumni and others. Professor Rudolph Cleveringa delivered a heroic speech on 26 November 1940 in protest against the dismissal of his Jewish colleagues. Since 1946, professors of the Leiden University have been delivering public lectures on topical issues worldwide.  

November 20th will mark the 28th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention has increased attention towards children’s rights worldwide. A lot of issues related to children have been solved due to the efforts made by governments, international and regional organizations, civil society and national human rights organizations, as well as the Public Defender’s Offices. However, not all children exercised the rights granted by the Convention. Certain groups of children still remain marginalized. The public lecture by Ton Liefaard will be dedicated to children’s rights; participants will discuss those key issues, which are related to exercising international rights in case of child imprisonment.  

The public lecture has been organized by the Leiden University and TSU with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands to Georgia, the EU Delegation to Georgia and UNICEF. 

Address: I. Chavchavadze Ave., 1, TSU, 1st Building, auditorium No. 107