UP Law’s Prof Ann Skelton first holder of Rotating Honorary Chair Enforcement of Children's Rights

The Faculty of Law (UP Law) at the University of Pretoria (UP) extends hearty congratulations to Professor Ann Skelton on her appointment as the first holder of the Rotating Honorary Chair on the Enforcement of Children's Rights by Leiden University, The Netherlands. 

According to the Leiden University website, ‘This new rotating professorship has been established to offer renowned academics the opportunity to teach and conduct research on international children's rights, while at the same time unlocking knowledge that has been acquired worldwide on children's rights.’

In reaction to her appointment, Skelton says that ‘I am very honoured to be the first incumbent of this Rotating Chair, and intend to use this opportunity to create stronger linkages and pathways for UP staff and students to access opportunities at Leiden.’  She anticipates that her initial engagement during the first few months will be predominantly online with Leiden University.  ‘I hope to physically visit Leiden from early April next year when I shall start teaching the course on Enforcement of Children's Rights and shall probably stay until early July to assist them with their summer school.’ 

In her acceptance letter addressed to Leiden’s Law Dean Professor Joanne van der Leun, Skelton indicates that she ‘was delighted to receive your invitation to be the first visiting professor to visit Leiden Law School under the newly established Rotating Honorary Chair ‘Enforcement of Children’s Rights’ for the academic year 2020/2021.’ She further writes that she has received unequivocal support for her involvement in this initiative from UP Law Dean Professor Elsabe Schoeman and Head of the Department of Private Law, Professor Steve Cornelius.  ‘They both pointed to historic links between the Leiden Law Faculty and UP Law. They expressed great interest in developing stronger and more formal links between the two faculties, which I believe the Rotating Chair provides a wonderful opportunity to explore.’ 

Skelton currently holds the UNESCO Chair: Education Law in Africa at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She is also a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

A very proud Dean Elsabe Schoeman congratulated Skelton on this achievement and expressed her delight with the extension of the bond through this Chair between UP and Leiden University.