We can’t use rights we don’t know
GUERNSEY schools are leading the way to ensure the next generation of island citizens know their rights.
A workshop was held by the Children and Young People’s Plan in partnership with Equality Guernsey on Monday 13/05with parents and professionals invited to learn more.
‘This is just one of a series of events leading up to the equality conference on 4 July,’ said chair of Equality Guernsey Alan Brown.
‘The UNCRC [United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child] is a guide for treating children with respect and dignity.
‘It ensures that we value children’s lives now and not only their adult futures.
‘The UNCRC will ensure that the States take seriously the interests, needs and perspectives of their youngest citizens.’
The meeting discussed the Rights Respecting Schools Award which is an initiative run by UNICEF UK.
The award aims to create a safe and inspiring learning environment where children are respected and their talents nurtured.
Guernsey Education Department inclusion and lead officer for looked after children David Stumpf said there were multiple levels to the award.
‘The bronze award is a planning process, making schools rights-aware, the silver award is then an action plan.’
Lead for the Children and Young People’s Plan Nick Hynes said the States of Guernsey were delighted to deliver the workshop in collaboration with Equality Guernsey and the Rights Respecting Schools programme with the Youth Commission.
‘This programme is a core part of the Children and Young People’s Plan which will be even more successful if the whole community is able to support its aims which will ensure all children and young people have every opportunity to not only achieve their potential but be safe and nurtured, healthy and active and, importantly, included and respected – a value that is at the core of the UNCRC.’
The workshop was attended by Grammar School and Hautes Capelles students who represented two of a number of island schools who have achieved the bronze award.
Among them were Hautes Capelles pupils Pacience Lemoinge, 11, and 10-year-olds Lily Trebert, Amelie Watts, and Niamh Polson, who have taken part in a number of activities as part of the award including assisting their teacher with her presentation planning for the event.
Pacience said they had done a lot recently for the award.
‘It’s important to know our rights,’ she said.
‘If we don’t know our rights then we can’t use them,’ said Amelie.
Lily said during the session they had explained how they got the bronze award and what they have been doing at school.
‘It’s been really fun,’ said Niamh.
UNCRC ensures children have rights within policy, services and society and includes their right to essential services including health, education, and protection from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
Although not entitled to vote, article 12 of the convention states that children have the right to express their views on matters concerning them, in line with their emerging capacities, and to have those views taken seriously by decision-makers.
