A world for children begins where children take centre stage. On International Children's Rights Day, the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation reminds us how central education, rights and participation are to a social, sustainable society. The Children's Village is demonstrating its commitment to children's rights in a series of new initiatives.
The protection, promotion and inclusion of children have always been a central component of our foundation's work. Children's rights are not just a legal basis, but an attitude. It opens up spaces for children in which they can express themselves, contribute their perspectives and develop their abilities. In numerous projects, such as children's conferences, summer camps, radio projects or as part of themed exchange weeks, this claim becomes concrete. In the Children's Village, children and young people actively engage with their rights and learn that their voice carries real weight. Empowerment and the communication of children's rights are not an add-on, but an important element of our educational work at home and abroad.
Working with children's rights
To mark International Children's Rights Day on 20 November, the Pestalozzi Children's Village is making new teaching materials available. They encourage children to engage with cultural contexts, environmental awareness and respectful behaviour. The materials enable children to actively experience democratic principles such as equal rights and equal opportunities and at the same time create a supportive environment for other children. The focus is on two newly developed products:
- a children's rights poster that summarises the articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in a clear, visually appealing form in language suitable for children. It serves as a thematic introduction and as a visible commitment to an attitude that respects and protects children's rights.
- A collection of children's rights brochures that are thematically and didactically tailored to the different age groups of formal education as well as to the extracurricular and socio-educational context. The brochures contain in-depth content, methodological impulses and further exercises that professionals can use to teach the topic of children's rights in a practical way. They are available in three national languages, can be downloaded free of charge or can now be obtained in printed form for a small fee. The materials are not only made for children, but have been developed in dialogue with them - a claim that represents the basic idea of children's rights.
The poster and the printed brochures can be ordered via bildung@pestalozzi.ch.
Making values visible
Another symbol of the importance of children's rights in the Children's Village is the Children's Rights Justice. The statue embodies the ideal of a just, child-friendly world. It is a reminder that law and justice can only endure if children are visible, taken seriously and able to participate in social processes. The Children's Rights Justice will soon be exhibited at the National Museum in Zurich. Another way in which the message of a world for children will be carried far beyond the Children's Village.
