Unicef Right of the Week: Holocaust Memorial Day

This week we are going to be exploring three Articles: 1,4 and 41

The Convention on the Rights of the Child brings together a range of rights that all children aged under 18 are entitled to, no matter who they are or where they are born. These rights ensure that all children are given the support they need to develop and reach their potential and are protected from harm. Governments across the world have signed up to the CRC and have promised to make the rights within the CRC a reality for children in their country and a number of articles specifically mention what governments must do to make rights happen.

Article 1 makes clear that everyone under the age of 18 has all the rights in the Convention.

Article 4 states that governments must do all they can to make sure every child can enjoy their rights by creating systems and passing laws that promote and protect children’s rights.

Article 41 states that if a country has laws and standards that go further than the present Convention, then the country must keep these laws.

To help us think about these articles critically, try one or more of the activities below:

Activity 1 

Do you know five key words related to rights? They are universal, unconditional, inherent, inalienable and indivisible! If this is new to your school, have a look at this presentation on our website and see how many of the five you can remember! Make a short video to explain the words to your teachers and to other children in your school.

Activity 2 

Each country of the UK has a children’s commissioner whose job it is to promote children’s rights and make sure that children are being supported. Find out more about the Children’s Commissioner in your part of the UK. Why not write a letter to them to explain why you think children’s rights are important?

Activity 3 

Your local MP/MSP/MLA/MS can have influence on the Government. Why not send them a postcard with a message to explain why you think their role in supporting and protecting children’s rights is so important? You could even invite them into your school to talk about what they do to support and protect children’s rights.