Four Swiss NGOs endevelop to the international Children's Rights Day educational material to Topic «Equal opportunities and Equality».
Just in time for International Children's Rights Day on November 20, 2022, the organizations Pestalozzi Children's Foundation, Integras, and the terre des hommes schweiz / Terre des Hommes Suisse alliance are presenting free, educational tools entitled "Children's Rights: Do you know them?" for teachers throughout Switzerland. The goal is to promote discussion and awareness of children's rights issues. This year, the focus is on "Equal Opportunities and Equal Rights", and the documents will be available on the website from October 20. www.children-rights.ch free of charge for download.
From the point of view of the four organizations, the Day of Children's Rights is a suitable opportunity to sensitize pupils to a specific topic of children's rights. In Switzerland, the principles of equal opportunities and equal rights are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. However, their practical implementation often remains a challenge - even in schools. One of the reasons for this is that the teaching of children's rights ideally takes place through personal confrontation and practical experience. This teaching material offers the opportunity for such experiential learning.
"Children's rights education means providing a framework in which children and young people can try things out and where they are given space to discuss their own and others' opinions and attitudes and to question attitudes and values. These teaching materials have been developed with this in mind," says Barbara Germann, pedagogue for intercultural exchange projects at the Pestalozzi Children's Village in Trogen.
The respective annual theme is determined together with children and young people. In addition, it is important to include the needs and opinions of children and young people in the development process.
"Pupils are the experts of their life situation, so it is essential for us to give them a voice and involve them when it comes to children's rights in Switzerland," emphasizes Catherine Brunold, specialist for psychosocial support and project manager for tdh éducation at terre des hommes switzerland.
Free tools in three national languages
The new teaching materials are made available to teachers free of charge in the three national languages. They invite students to engage in a dialogue about how democratic principles can be lived together in the spirit of equal opportunity and equality. The didactic materials appear analogous to the curriculum and they are supplemented by inclusive teaching materials in simplified language.
Lorène Métral, child rights specialist and head of Latin Switzerland at Integras, explains, "The inclusive teaching materials offer exercises that address the issue of equity and equality in special education, but they are also suitable for classes with younger children or for children with a different mother tongue."
The project is designed for four years, it is carried out in collaboration with éducation 21 and is supported by the federal government within the framework of the Child and Youth Promotion Act.
More information and teaching materials: www.children-rights.ch
Information about tdh éducation: www.tdh-bildung.ch
Media contact terre des hommes switzerland: Valerie Wendenburg, valerie.wendenburg@terredeshommes.ch, +41 61 335 91 51
terre des hommes schweiz
terre des hommes switzerland strengthens young people in Africa, Latin America and Switzerland. The Zewo-certified association fights poverty, violence and discrimination together with them and campaigns for the rights of children and young people and fair North-South relations. The core competence of terre des hommes switzerland is participatory and solution-oriented work with young people.
Integras
Integras Promotes expertise in working with children, adolescents and young adults in out-of-home care and/or with special education by requiring and promoting a high level of ethical and professional quality.
Pestalozzi Children's Foundation
The Pestalozzi Children's Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization committed to children and young people in Switzerland and in twelve countries worldwide. It supports children and young people in the promotion of specific skills required for peaceful coexistence through education for sustainable development and the opportunity for individual development.
Terre des Hommes Suisse
Terre des Hommes Suisse is a non-profit organization that has always worked for children and development in solidarity. The aim of Terre des Hommes Suisse is to give children and young people the tools to become agents of change, so that they are able to work for respect for their rights and a more sustainable world.
