Activity 11

Children’s and Young People’s Rights - UNCRC Exercise

Aim:To introduce participants to the rights in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Materials needed:Laminated Rights Cards

Flip Chart

Pen

Age: 7+

Introduction:

The UNCRC is an international Human Rights instrument that has been adopted by the United Nations assembly.

It seeks to protect a child’s civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights.

The UNCRC aims to ensure that the child grows up "in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity".

The Convention has been ratified by every single UN member State, except Somalia and the United States of America.

Some people would argue that the rights contained in the UNCRC should be specifically reaffirmed in the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

Implementation of the UNCRC is overseen by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and governments are obliged to report to the Committee two years after they have signed up to it, specifying the steps which they have taken to bring national laws and practice into line with the UNCRC.

The Committee will then hear evidence from a range of sources, and will adopt a series on recommendations on how states can improve their implementation.

Governments must then submit progress reports every five years.

Step by Step Guide:

  1. Laminate ‘rights’ cards and cut up the individual rights.
  1. Explain to the group that children’s rights should be afforded the same rights as any otherindividual.
  1. Distribute the ‘rights’ cards.
  1. Ask the group members to read their card carefully and then to move about theroom comparing their card with others in the group.
  1. If they feel that their “rights card” has something in common with someone else’s then form a cluster.
  1. They should then compare cards with other clusters or individuals, joining themas appropriate. They may find that they form a large cluster or they may be on their own.
  1. Once the “clustering” is complete, ask them to choose a suitable name for the cluster e.g. “Health” or “Education” to summarise the rights belonging to that cluster.
  1. Ask them to stick the cards on to a large piece of paper and write the “cluster name” above it.
  1. Conclude the activity with the following discussion questions:

• What seem to be the main types of rights protected by the UNCRC?

• Do some types of rights seem to be given more emphasis?

• Are there other types of rights you think should be included or should be

given more emphasis?

• Are all rights equal or are some more important than others?

• Are there some rights your community is particularly good at protecting?

• Are children’s rights likely to conflict with other people’s?

  1. Teacher’s Note: Please be aware that some of the rights may needed further considered explanation, e.g. Article 34 and the right not to be sexually exploited.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article 1

Everyone under 18 has these rights.

Article 2

You have the right to protection against discrimination.

Article 3

Adults should always do what’s best for you.

Article 4

Your rights should be real not just good intentions

Article 5

You should be given guidance from your parents and family.

Article 6

You have the right to life.

Article 7

You have the right to a name and nationality.

Article 8

You have the right to your own identity.

Article 9

You have a right to live with your parents unless it is bad for you.

Article 10

If you and your parents live in different countries, you have the right to get together and live in the same place.

Article 11

You should not be kidnapped.

Article 12

You have the right to have your opinion listen to and taken seriously.

Article 13

You have the right find out things and say what you think unless it breaks the rights of others.

Article 14

With guidance, you have the right to think what you like and be whatever religion you like.

Article 15

You have the right to be with friends and be in clubs unless this breaks the rights of others.

Article 16

You have the right to a private life

Article 17

You have the right to collect information and be protected from information that could harm you.

Article 18

You have the right to be brought up by your parents if possible.

Article 19

You have right not to be hurt.

Article 20

You have the right to help if you can’t live with your parents.

Article 21

You have the right to have the best care if you are looked after.

Article 22

You have the right to special protection if you are a refugee.

Article 23

You have the right to special care and education if you are disabled

Article 24

You have the right to health care

Article 25

You have a right to decent living arrangements away from home

Article 26

You have the right to help if you are poor or in need.

Article 27

You have the right to a decent standard of living

Article 28

You have the right to education

Article 29

You have the right to personal development education

Article 30

If you are a minority you have the right to your own language, culture and religion.

Article 31

You have the right to play

Article 32

Work should not affect your health or education

Article 33

You should be protected from dangerous drugs

Article 34

You should be protected from sexual explotation

Article 35

No-one is allowed to kidnap you

Article 36

You should not be exploited

Article 37

You have a right not to be punished in a cruel way

Article 38

You should not be used as a child soldier

Article39

You should be helped if you have been hurt

Article 40

You have the right to legal aid

Article 41

You have the right to any other rights that are better than these

Article 42

Adults should know about your rights too