OUR RIGHTSThe two classes, aged 12-13, working in the Comenius

project, discussed the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the

Child and also the Italian Constitution.

MAIN AIMSIn 1989, governments across the world promised all children the same rights by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention says what countries must do so that all children grow as healthy as possible, can learn at school, are protected, have their views listened to and are treated fairly. The Convention has 54 articles in total. Articles 43-54 are about how adults and governments work together to make sure that all children get all their rights.

The articles we took into consideration

are ARTICLES 1-42.

Article 1: RIGHTS

The rights are for everyone

under the age of 18.

Article 2: NON-DISCRIMINATION

OUR SCHOOL HAS STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT NATIONS, RELIGIONS AND

ABILITIES AND ALL ARE TREATED EQUALLY.

Article 3: WELL-BEING

OUR SCHOOL REGARDS ALL THE CHILDREN AS OUR TOP PRIORITY.

Article 12: EXPRESS VIEWS

OUR TEACHERS LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.

Article 13: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

OUR STUDENTS ARE FREE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS SO LONG AS THEY

RESPECT ALSO THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.

Article 15: MEET OTHERSWE ARE EQUAL PARTNERS IN THE COMENIUS PROJECT

AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OTHERS AND WORK TOGETHER.

Article 16: THE PROTECTION OF PRIVACY

WE HELP OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BUT WE ALSO PROTECT THEIR

PRIVACY.

Article 18: PARENTS’ DUTIES

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT INSTITUTIONS AND SERVICES THAT CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR

PARENTS.

Article 19: PROTECTION FROM ILL-TREATMENT

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUTSOCIAL SERVICES WHOSE JOB IT IS TO PROTECT AND TAKE

CARE OF THEM. THEY CAN GET HELP, SUPPORT AND ADVICE FROM TEACHERS

IN THE SCHOOL.

.

Article 23: DISABILITY

ALL CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT.

Article 24 (32 Italian Constitution): HEALTH AND MEDICAL ATTENTION

ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE BEST POSSIBLE HEALTH CARE.

THIS IS A RIGHT ALSO FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A RESIDENCE PERMIT.

SOME OF OUR STUDENTS SOMETIMES HAVE THE RESIDENCE PERMIT ONLY WHEN FATHERS HAVE A LABOUR

CONTRACT.

Article 28: EDUCATION

ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION. OUR AREA HAS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY

SCHOOLS OPEN TO ALL CHILDREN.

Article 29: THE GOALS OF EDUCATIONOUR SCHOOL AIM IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATIONTO DEVELOP EVERY CHILD’S

ABILITY TO THE FULL. AS SOME OF OUR STUDENTS COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORD IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TEACH

RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS AND THEIR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, TO RESPECT CULTURES, TO TAKE ON RESPONSIBILITIES IN A FREE SOCIETY,

IN THE SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING, PEACE, TOLERANCE, EQUALITY AND FRIENDSHIP FOR ALL.

Article 30: RIGHT TO LEARN

CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR OWN LANGUAGE,

CUSTOMS AND RELIGION. WE RESPECT THAT RIGHT.

Article 31: RIGHT TO PLAY

OUR SCHOOL PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR A RANGE OF ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND THE CHILDREN

ARE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THESE EVENTS. OUR COMENIUS PROGRAMME IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF

THIS WORK.

SOCIAL SERVICE CENTREAfter discussing personal rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, students and teachers visited the Social Service Centre in our area. It is about 2 km from our school. We talked to psychologists and social workers about their work and the work of the centre. The centre provides opportunities for adolescents aged 14-20 to visit and talk to a professional about their personal and emotional needs. They can have free advice from a social worker, a psychologist, an obstetrician or a gynaecologist.Teenagers can make an appointment or they can go directly at anytime and they can go alone.

PEER EDUCATIONThe centre also provides “Peer Education”. This means information related to sexual relationships. This is done in cooperation with High Schools in Vallecamonica.There is an active interaction among boys and girls trained by the social service and the Peers of their own school.The main aim of this “Peer Education” is: • to foster and encourage communication among youths• share information and experiences among a peer group.

Link

Adolescents can find more information and also interact with a social worker on their website.

www.aslvallecamonicasebino.it/spazioadolescentiThanks to the “Crisis Project” our students know more about the social services provided in the area where they

live.