My commitment to our rights as children will continue, because my motto is: children’s rights are human rights and are non-negotiable!
(Sena, 10, Children’s Rights Reporter)
Children’s rights are universal and non-negotiable. But even though governments around the world have committed to recognising the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, there still remains much to be done. The National Coalition Deutschland is working tirelessly to draw attention to any weaknesses identified here in Germany and to suggest improvements.
We support and supervise the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Federal Government. Every five years, we summarise our results in a supplementary report that is sent to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child based in Geneva. All member organisations make their own contribution to the report. But who is better placed to assess the implementation of the rights of children and young people than the children and young people themselves?
That is why the Second Report on Children’s Rights is also published, which is the result of work of more than 2,700 children and young people. Acting as Children’s Rights Reporters, they conducted independent projects in groups on various topics such as participation, education and protection against violence. They made short films, interviewed other children and young people across Germany and established their own parliament. The resulting report gives the young experts a say.
Until the new recommendations of the UN Committee are issued, we will continue to monitor and raise awareness of the Convention through our public relations work. Above all, through public appearances, workshops and the publication of reports, via our website and social media, the National Coalition Deutschland aims to bring the Convention on the Rights of the Child more into the general focus. We also seek an open dialogue with politicians, for example, when it comes to our core concern – children’s rights being enshrined in the Basic Law (the German Constitution). In order to reach not only the professional world, but the widest possible circles of the general public, we provide all important information in plain language. Participation starts with accessibility.
