Participation is a right
The Convention on the Rights of the Child, approved in 1989 by the United Nations, outlines the rights of all of persons under the age of 18.
Within these rights we find the right to life, to have a name and a nationality, to health, to education, to play, protection in case of a war or poor treatment and living conditions. They are rights that refer to the survival and the protection of the childhood of an individual.
However there is also another part of the rights, which refer to the participation. They are special because in order to exercise the rights it is necessary for the people who have them to be a part of them. That is, they are “active rights” and to exercise them, you must, in part, be willing to do it.
They are for example the right to an opinion about matters that affect you (Article 12); the right to freedom of expression (Article 13); the freedom of thought, conscience and religión (Article 14); freedom to associate (Article 15); the right to the protection of your private life (Article 16) and the right to adequate information (Article 17).
“The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice” (Convention of the Rights of the Child, Art. 13).
The right to participate is very important and should be well known, but the most important thing is to exercise and practice those rights. They are what permit us to better understand the world, interact with it, appreciate different points of view, discuss our opinions and compare them to others. And of course, to change things, meet with those who think like we do, to do something...
It is often mentioned that in today’s world, the attitudes are more supportive, humble and dedicated. There is talk about global citizenship that is set in values and behaviour that encourages positive development of society (peace, gender equality, inclusion of persons with disabilities, respect towards the environment, beliefs and races, etc.) It is often said that we need to live with these values in our lives...but more importantly practice them. And in this sense, this point of view is almost always those of the youngest children because they are the ones that are most influenced by the world around them.
And in today’s society, it is inevitable to link the exercise of these rights to the role of technology and the media. That is where this project comes in, because we think it is extremely important to initiate and promote the inclusion of more young people in the “information society” from a healthy, responsible and participatory perspective.
Cibercorresponsales is a strategy oriented to generate education processes and participation between young individuals who are connected to the information and communication society. The young individuals become active citizens, capable of interpreting the world around them and taking sides on issues, assuming responsibility in accepting and maintaining their rights and responsibilities and those of their peers.
