2.3 A: Rights for all children Duration: 45 minutes Instructions: Level of complexity: 3 1. Reflect on the “Questions by Stateless Children” and think of some of the examples we have read about in Neha’s book. What issues do children in different countries face when trying to claim their nationality? What other rights might be denied to them? Knowledge/Subjects: Civics, International Relations, Politics, Social Activism 2. Not having a nationality limits children’s access to other rights such as going to school, seeing a doctor etc. How do you feel about that? Should children be deprived of their rights due to lack of nationality? What rights do you think all children should have? 3. As a group, draft a document containing all the rights children should have! You can invite a participant to write the group’s ideas on the board or on a piece of paper and when the document is complete ask all participants to sign it. Skills: Activism, Comparative Analysis, Critical Thinking, Empathy, Group Collaboration, Reading Comprehension, Research Values/Attitudes: Belief that people can bring about change, Respect for people & human rights Objectives: • For participants to reflect on the rights that all children should enjoy and how not having a nationality limits access to other rights. • For participants to learn about the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and utilise it to advocate for the rights of stateless children around the world. 4. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a treaty of the United Nations that sets out the rights Materials: Internet access (optional) every child should have including the right to go to school, see a doctor etc. Compare your document to the actual CRC available in a child - friendly version here: https://www.unicef.org/media/56661/file Which rights are missing, what extra rights have you included compared to the actual CRC? Do you think the CRC makes it clear that no matter their nationality status, children should enjoy all the rights included in the treaty? If the CRC protects the rights of all children, why are stateless children unable to enjoy their rights? Further the Activity: The CRC is a great tool for raising the issue of statelessness and advocating for the rights of stateless children. Almost all UN countries have signed the CRC and made a commitment to protecting the rights of all children as set out in the treaty. To make sure enough is being done and hold countries accountable for fulfilling the rights set out in the treaty, a special committee of UN experts has been established to monitor what is happening around the world: the CRC Committee. NGOs and activists report to the CRC Committee so it will push countries to implement child rights friendly measures. Children can advocate for their rights too! Check out this short guide about a new United Nations treaty that lets you speak up about child rights violations in your country and how to submit a complaint: • https://www.childrightsconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/OP3_CF_Leaflet__En_FINAL.pdf • https://opic.childrightsconnect.org/what-is-opic/how-to-submit-an-individual-communication/ You can also ask local organisations or people you know, like your local children’s rights contact person or your teacher, how you could bring up the issue of statelessness in your area and encourage people to start a campaign and advocate for the issue. Or pick another child rights problem that you feel passionately about or you see affecting people in your community and get involved in ensuring that it gets the attention that it deserves. 41