Justice Advisor for NI-CO awarded MBE
Graeme McCammon, the Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas (NI-CO), is delighted to announce that one of its experts, Paula Jack, has been recognised with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in King Charles III’s New Year Honours Overseas and International List.
Paula’s name was submitted to HM The King by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for services to Child Justice Reform, to Human Rights, and to International Relations in Bahrain in her role as Justice Adviser for NI-CO.
Paula has worked as a Justice Adviser for NI-CO since 2014, focusing on Child Justice Reform. She has worked on Human Rights Reform in projects funded by the FCDO and the EU. Paula’s work in Bahrain in particular has been commended for leading a project to reform the Child Justice System with the introduction of a new Child Justice Law which provides for a minimum age of criminal responsibility of 15 years, and the creation of a new Social Welfare Centre to promote the protection and welfare of children. She has trained Bahraini judges, prosecutors, and social experts focusing on children’s rights and protection, as well as engaging Ministers and officials in the reform process. She also supported the establishment of a new Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Bahrain, the first specialised role in the region.
Speaking about her award, Paula said, “I am honoured to be given an MBE in recognition of my work as Justice Advisor with NI-CO over the last 9 years. It has been my privilege to work internationally to reform child justice and protection systems. Our aim in NI-CO is to share the Northern Ireland experience and to challenge and create reforms promoting compliance with international standards for human rights. Seeing real changes in law, policies and practices through reforms that improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children across the world makes this work incredibly rewarding. I am delighted to receive this honour as it recognises the importance of ensuring children’s rights are upheld.”
Previously, Paula held the position of Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Agency Northern Ireland from 2010. Prior to becoming Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Agency, Paula was a senior Prosecutor in both England and in Northern Ireland from 1992. From 2005 she held the position of Regional Prosecutor for the Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland for the Northern Region. Over the last 9 years, Paula has worked internationally as a justice advisor on projects, successfully leading and delivering projects to reform child justice and child protection systems.
Mr McCammon and the wider NI-CO family would like to offer their congratulations to Paula and are thrilled that she has been recognised and celebrated with this honour.