New Zealand
New Zealand
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) turns 20
Friday 20 November will mark 20 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child – the most universally accepted and widely ratified human rights treaty, a treaty that recognises that children have rights too.
192 countries, including New Zealand have signed the Convention. Only the United States of America and Somalia have not.
Our founder Eglantyne Jebb developed the initial concept of child rights and it has remained at the core of our work for children ever since. Find out more about the history of child rights
We've come a long way since 1898 but there is much more to do. Every 5 years, governments have to report to the United Nations on how well they are looking after the children in their countries. We are consulting with people under the age of 18 to produce a New Zealand Child and Young people’s report to be sent to the UN in July 2010.
Through focus groups, digitalstory telling and a survey Kiwi children will celebrate their wellbeing and ability to participate in family, school and social life. All children’s names and contributions will be safeguarded.
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Kia ora
Over 2009 and 2010, Save the Children NZ is doing some research throughout Aotearoa NZ on the Conventions of the Rights of the Child and young people's opinions about how well the NZ Government has followed this.
Visit our website to find out more: www.a12aotearoa.ning.com (you will need to create an account but this is just for your protection; the site is moderated so no one can bully or put down others).
We will be travelling the country, doing digital stories with groups of young people, surveys in some primary schools and an online survey with young people over 16. Most of the groups are with young people that often don't get a voice (refugees, young mums, those that have been in the justice system etc) but we are also doing six with groups of interest).
If you are interested, email Dr Fi at fiona@globaled.org.nz. If you are a young person over 16 and would like to take the survey then
Click Here to take the 2009-2010 UNCRC Survey
Dr Fi
See a child-friendly version of the UNCRC (PDF document)
Find out more about Child Rights
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