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The Rights of the Child match has been created as a
fun way to learn about human rights as defined and affirmed by the
United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Because of the digital divide, an internet game by
its very nature will probably be played by children all ready
enjoying the basic human rights of development, survival, and
protection. How then, can those who have lived with their
human rights validated, even begin to understand what life would be
like without those basic necessities? How do you understand
the absence of something you've always known?
Our methodology is to approach the situation in a
way which will provide information, increase awareness, encourage
empathy, and cultivate compassionate action. The match has
been design so the rights are illustrated using the same child in
different circumstances. Each set shows one child living
with the benefit of the right and the same child living in
the absence of the right. Care has been taken so the
pictures can illustrate the quality of life dissimilarities without
being so graphic as to traumatize a young viewer.
Human rights should not be conditional. When
we see every child as my friend, my child, or my grandchild,
is the moment we are prompted to act and guarantee unrestricted
rights to the whole of humanity.
Additional teaching will be facilitated with the
workshops currently in development.
Peace Quest is also a
valuable tool in this endeavor.
Every
Child Needs to Learn
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Children are born curious and eager
to learn. Many children across the world do not have the
opportunity to be educated because of the color of their skin,
the amount of money their families have, whether the child is a
girl or a boy, and numerous other barriers. This is simply not
acceptable. Without this opportunity children can only
dream of what their lives might be like and many times are stuck
in a cycle of poverty. Every child has the fundamental right to
a basic education. When this need is met, children learn
new skills, see the world as larger than their own reality, and develop hope and possibilities for a constructive life.
Every Child Needs
Food |
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Children need nutritious food in
order to be healthy. Without enough of the right kinds of
food, children suffer from diseases and millions die because of
hunger. When this most basic need is met, children are
able to grow and develop and engage in meaningful life
experiences.
Every Child Needs Love and a Home |
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All children have the right to be
cherished and nurtured. Without the security of place and
devotion, a positive sense of self cannot develop.
Children who know they are loved and have a place to come home
to possess the ability to grow up strong emotionally,
spiritually, socially, morally, mentally, and physically.
Consequently, they develop beneficial life skills, discover how
to care for others, and contribute in positive ways to their communities.
Every Child Needs
Friends |
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Children need the
ability to create relationships where they are free to share
their hopes, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and expressions of self.
Diversity should be embraced: discrimination of any kind creates
unnecessary separations and denies each child's dignity.
Life without friends is lonely and causes stunted social
development as the child is unable to reflect, have her/his voice
heard, and interact with others. Positive relationships
form connecting bonds which encourage each person to be her/his best self.
Every Child Needs Care and Medicine |
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Children are
vulnerable and need to be first to receive help when there is a
crisis. They also deserve a healthy start in life
and treatment when needed. Millions of children die each
year because they do not have access to medicines and vaccines
which would cure disease and in fact, prevent suffering and
illness. When children have help in time of need, they are
free to grow and develop their inborn potential.
Every Child Needs
to Play and be Free from Exploitation |
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Children have the
right to play and grow up in a safe environment. Many
children however, lose their innocence and are abused through
cruel forced child labor and other types of misery.
Children who cannot be children are isolated, angry, depressed,
and untaught in social norms. A huge part of who a child
is develops through the learning acquired as a result of play. Play is fun and it provides the
chance to ease stress, interact with others, be adventuresome,
and develop new skills.
Every Child Needs
Peace |
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Children who
experience peace within themselves, their family, and their
society have a sense of well-being and are free to soar.
Children who lack peace in any of these areas are forced to
shield themselves from real and imagined fear. They are disproportionately effected
when peace is absent, oftentimes robbed of many or all of the
other basic rights of humanity. When peace embraces a child's
life s/he is able to release his/her innate promise and can help
create a just society.
Every Child needs
Clean Air to Breathe and Fresh
Water to Drink |
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When environmental
safeguards are in place, children are able to grow up and enjoy the
interconnectedness of all life, and the beauty the earth
provides. When the planet is not
respected however, children become one of the first victims of
the abuse. Their developing bodies and minds are simply
more sensitive to environmental hazards. A child's very
existence and quality of life is dependent upon a healthy
planet. |
Back to the Game
Workshop Resources |
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We are bound
together in our desire to see the world become a place in which our
children can grow free and strong. ~ James Taylor
I have learned that the power to rise is
not within the reach of everyone. ~ Helen Keller
Based upon the United Nations Convention
of the Rights of the Child
Artwork © Marla Blevins and used with permission;
Design © Josh Paula; Modified by Angie Guinan
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