In 1989, the United Nations adopted a universal document guaranteeing the rights of all children around the world. These rights protect children and support them in their proper development. International Children’s Rights Day with UNICEF is an event that unites children around the world. On this day, joint initiatives are undertaken in many countries to show support and solidarity with children whose rights are not respected. It is a joyful day, but one with a serious message. Through its activities, UNICEF draws attention to these issues and initiates various projects aimed at spreading knowledge about children’s rights.
This special day was an excellent opportunity to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention – the most important document concerning the rights of the youngest children – and to undertake various initiatives and activities related not only to children’s rights, but also to their needs and problems. Childhood is a crucial stage in human development, and every child should then be guaranteed the best possible conditions for development. Therefore, on this special day, the children spoke and the adults listened to their voices.
The entire school community actively joined the celebrations of International Children’s Rights Day and carried out interesting projects. Joint activities in classes I–VIII were aimed at familiarizing students with their rights. Together with their form teachers, all classes learned about children’s rights during lessons based on lesson plans and educational materials prepared by UNICEF. Meanwhile, students in classes IV–VIII created a series of drawings and posters showing rights from their perspective. All these activities were accompanied by an exhibition entitled “Our rights – an important matter,” which could be viewed in the school corridor. The works prepared for this occasion confirmed that children’s rights are important to the students and that the pupils understand their significance wonderfully.
The Student Council, together with its advisers Adrian Banyś and Agnieszka Markowicz, prepared a special meeting with the classes for the occasion. During the meeting, students were introduced to the children’s rights described in the individual Articles of the Convention. The young people also expanded their knowledge of rights during the Open Day and information meetings conducted on the basis of a multimedia presentation specially prepared for the occasion. The knowledge they acquired became the starting point for holding a debate among the students entitled “Do you know your rights?”
Children are full of passion and commitment, and often are guided by sensitivity and concern for others. UNICEF’s organizational colour symbolizes unity with young people around the world. Therefore, the entire school community took part in the activities held that day as part of the “in blue #foreverychild” campaign. Everyone remembered the colour blue, for example in their clothing and in decorating classrooms, noticeboards and school corridors.
As part of the individual activities, teachers offered students numerous activities using modern information and communication technologies, which not only entertain but also facilitate learning, acquiring new competences and communication. The children learned about their rights using, among other things, Internet resources and a multimedia board, and by taking part in class tournaments using Kahoot quizzes prepared by UNICEF. The students also participated in classes conducted by the school representatives of the Student Council entitled “Childhood for every child,” under the supervision of Adrian Banyś.
As part of the School Open Day, the students’ parents were also introduced by the form teachers to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the significance of International Children’s Rights Day celebrations, which helped reinforce awareness of these rights among adults. In turn, the activities undertaken by the students had a positive impact on their personal development because of their educational and character-building dimension. In addition, school noticeboards were filled with entries and information on the subject, reminding all children and adults that these rights should always be respected, not only on the designated day – 20 November.
The aim of the International Children’s Rights Day celebrations was to present the Convention on the Rights of the Child to students as the most important document concerning their rights, and to explain who a “child” is and why children require special treatment. The event fostered an attitude of social engagement while making students aware that they have rights and should know how to exercise them.
The coordinator of the International Children’s Rights Day celebrations extends heartfelt thanks to the entire school community for its involvement in the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, organized by UNICEF. 20 November is a special date that should direct our thoughts toward children and their rights.