Messages of support

''Children in our country are getting a bad deal, and some people think that we can make ourselves feel better by comparing our children with children in other countries that are less fortunate than ours. This is just not good enough. We must do all that we can to improve the rights of children in Britain and worldwide and the first thing that we should do is start listening to what children themselves have to say. I'm in alliance with the children. ''Benjamin Zephaniah

''Children and young people have the right to have their voices heard on issues that affect them. The CRC reporting process offers us an opportunity to show that active participation of children and young people really works and how young people can be leaders and take an active role in achieving positive change for children.''David Bull, Executive Director, UNICEF UK

''It sometimes feels like we've forgotten in this country that children are people too - and that small people, and not-so-small ones, deserve the same respect and attention that adults expect others to extend to them. Children's rights are poorly served in Britain. Children are the only people who can, by law, be hit. It's extraordinary that someone not old enough to buy a hamster can be tried in an adult court, or named and shamed in direct contravention of their internationally recognised human rights. But it's no use speaking for children. Children can speak for themselves.''Libby Brooks, deputy comment editor of the Guardian newspaper

''It's so important that children and young people are given a voice. At First News we feel passionately that the nation's youngest citizens should be talked to and listened to more. They should be treated with respect and understanding which is why I'm delighted to support this initiative.''Nicky Cox, Editor, First News