Children learn active citizenship in Bangladesh

Year level: Upper primary/Lower secondary Learning outcome Students learn that cooperation at local, national and international levels is necessary to bring about positive, long-term change so that all children can access their rights. Read the introduction to Children's Rights at http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/globaled/go/pid/26. Brainstorm, in pairs, a list of children's rights. Compare your list to the Convention on the Rights of the Child by viewing the photo essays about the rights of the child on http://unicef.org/crc/index.html or reading the full text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Read the case study Children learn active citizenship in Bangladesh. List the project activities and the rights these activities address. Discuss: Why would working children in rural and poor areas of Bangladesh have difficulty gaining their rights? How have the Shishu Parishads been effective in promoting rights of participation and freedom of speech for all children? What are the major benefits of the program that promotes the children's rights? How have the difficulties of improving working children's access to their rights been overcome? How is the local community involved? How is the Australian community involved? Describe a special group you belong to that develops your skills and attitudes to help you participate in society now and in the future. Compare the similarities and differences of groups to which Australian children belong with the Shishu Parishads. Create a role-play or write a dialogue comparing your knowledge of, and access to, rights with one of the working children in Tangail, Bangladesh. Assessment task Research and write a report about a situation in Australia and another country where children have actively claimed their rights.