Nigel Williams (children's rights activist)

Nigel Williams (dead March 2006) was a children's rights activist, known for his engagement against child abuse on the internet. In 1995, he founded the Childnet International.[1] In 2003, he was appointed as the first Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, a position he held until his death.[2]

Nigel Williams
Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
In office October 1, 2003 – 28 March 2006
Succeeded by	Patricia Lewsley

Internet child abuse countermeasures

In 1995, Williams founded and became the first CEO of Childnet International,[1][2] a position he held until July 2003.[3][4] Under his leadership, Childnet took the initiative to found the INHOPE association.[5] He has also served on the boards of the Internet Watch Foundation and the Internet Content Rating Association.[2]

Children's commissioner

In 2003, Williams became the first Commissioner for children and young people in Northern Ireland. In spite of illness, he continued to uphold this position until his death in 2006.[2]

Honours

In January 2006, just a few months before his demise, Williams was awarded the "IFIP-WG9.2 Namur Award", which was "to be accorded for an outstanding contribution with international impact to the awareness of social implications of information technology",[6] for his work on keeping children safe".[2][5]

References

1. "Where did it all begin". Retrieved 25 December 2019.
2. "Previous Commissioners". Retrieved 25 December 2019.
3. Profile: Nigel Williams. Retrieved 27/12/19
4. "A Parallel Universe - Children and Young People's Love Affair with the Internet". 13 January 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2019. Williams's award reception lecture in Namur
5. "Winners". 23 October 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
6. "IFIP-WG9.2 Namur Award". 23 October 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2019.