UNICEF and Children's Rights

Child's Rights Convention

LESSON 1: CHILD RIGHTS CONVENTION - An Introduction. AIM: To introduce kids and teachers to the United Nations Rights of the Child Convention. Hi, my name is Bill. I work voluntarily for UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund). Over the next few sessions, you & I are going to sit down together and really think how we can make some changes to the world we live in. In each lesson we will be discussing subjects that concern you and other children around the globe but not just learning about them; together, we will create opportunities for you to present your thoughts and ideas OUT THERE in your local community and ACROSS THE WORLD. You are welcome to join us at any stage of the discussions which will include subjects such as 'Children and Water', 'Children and War', 'Food and Nutrition', 'Street Kids', 'Health and Education', and 'Children and the Developing World'. However, it might be worth your while just spending some time thinking about Child Rights in general which is the topic of this first lesson. By the way, when I say "lesson", it's not the same as having a lesson at school. With KIDPROJ *Unicef, YOU are the teachers and your pupils are adults such as little old me! So share with me your ideas and views so that we can learn together about Children and the World we live in now and should live in the future. One more thing before we start, each week we will try and organize some group projects for you and your school or club to carry out IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY and sometimes for the benefit of other countries. The first of these will be in *UNICEF: 'KIDS & WATER LESSON PLAN 1' so look out for that in the next lesson plan! But to begin with let's try to understand what 'rights' you have as a child and what 'rights' you'd like to have as you grow up. Below are a few suggestions that might get you thinking, but remember, try and create other ways of presenting your thoughts on Child Rights e.g. posters, stories, letters to friends in other countries... A brief summary of the Convention is available in *UNICEF: CONVENTION LESSON PLAN 1, but before looking at the United Nation's version, have a go at making your own list of child rights. The following may help you... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) "Imagine that your country has been invaded and taken over by another country and its people: a country that forbids the use of any other language or culture than its own - one which forbids the practice of festivals (e.g. easter, christmas) or anything else cultural (discos, birthday parties, sports). What things would you have to give up or do in secret? How would you feel?" --------------------------------------------------------------------- (b) "List all the things you feel that children need in order to live happy and healthy lives - think about what it would feel like to have all these things taken away e.g. your freedom to speak, to privacy, to a safe, healthly environment, to freedom from punishment and degrading treatment. Here is a list of children's rights written in 1959: write your own list before peeking at the one below! 1. The right to equality, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, national, or social origin. 2. The right to develop physically and mentally in a healthly manner. 3. The right to a name and nationality. 4. The right to adequate nutrition, housing, and medical services. 5. The right to special care, if handicapped. 6. The right to love, understanding and protection. 7. The right to free education, to play and recreation. 8. The right to be among the first to recieve relief in time so disaster. 9. The right to protection against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. 10.The right to be brought up in a spirit of tolerance, peace and universal brotherhood. How does this list compare with your list? Imagine you could only have 3 out of these 10 rights. Which 3 would you choose? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Interview an adult: find out what they remember of their childhood? Ask about their earliest memories (of going to school, of going to the doctor). Ask about their worst memories, and their happiest memories... e.g. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you change your mind? What made you change your mind? What did you do when you left school? If this is different from what you wanted to do, why? If you had another chance, would you do the same thing again? What would you change? Now think what differences are there between being an adult and being a child? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How did you get on? Why not send in your work so that others can learn about what you think. Teachers, why not post your pupils' work to: KIDPROJ @ VM1.NODAK.EDU with the subject heading: *UNICEF: CHILD RIGHTS* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Good luck! I look forward to hearing from you all. The next subject we'll be chatting about will be 'Water'. Look out for the message: *UNICEF: 'KIDS & WATER LESSON PLAN'* Happy thinking! Bye for now, Bill