This year, Human Rights Day falls on Sunday 10th December. This day celebrates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and encompasses the idea that each and every one of us is entitled to the full range of human rights. But part of understanding our Human Rights is also understanding and advocating for Children’s Rights.

Our team at Children in Wales work hard to ensure that children's rights are at the forefront of policy and decision making. We focus on ensuring that children and young people in Wales have their voices heard and we advocate for policy changes, fighting for sustainable and equitable services.

As part of this work, we have recently been collaborating with several young volunteers to coproduce a book commemorating 30 years of children’s rights in Wales, which includes fresh illustrations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The UNCRC rights shown in the images have been re-written in the words of the young people who helped coproduce the project. Not only does this mean that they are simple and easy to understand, but it means that they have been re-worded by the very people they affect: the children and young people themselves.

Colourful image of the UNCRC illustrated

When reflecting on the project, Arthur, a young volunteer stated:

 

I like to think of all the rights or articles under the UNCRC like bricks. Bricks serve a lot of different purposes. They can be used to build a house which we can say contains childhood memories or construct a path leading all young people in the best possible future for them.
Just like bricks, all the rights need each other to do their job. Whether it be the right to be safe, be heard, play, or access information, they build on one another.

- Arthur - young volunteer with Young Wales

This has been reflected in the design of the graphics, as each right has been depicted as a block, placed atop of the others surrounding it. Every right established in the UNCRC is independent of the other, highlighting the importance of our basic human needs.

These colourful and engaging images will soon be featured in the Children in Wales 30th anniversary book: Pause, Play, Fast Forward: The Journey of Children in Wales.

This is a young volunteer-led project where we are working to highlight the importance of children’s rights, as well as the key work that has taken place over the past 30 years.

Our book will be released early 2024, so make sure to follow us for more information.

Everyone should be aware of their Human Rights, including children and young people. This Human Rights Day, we are using these graphics to reflect on what Children’s Rights truly mean and to spread awareness, ensuring every child and young person knows all about the rights they are entitled to.