Children's rights explained to children

What are children's rights?

Children's rights are human rights defined for children.

If you are under the age of 18, children's rights will apply to you. They are aimed at the development of your abilities and take into account your needs. You have the right to live with your parents, to eat healthy, to have access to health care. You even have the right to play, have hobbies, discover art and culture, etc.

All children's rights are interrelated, they all have the same importance and no one can take them away from you.

These rights are defined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a treaty signed by most countries in the world. These countries are committed to protect you with measures and laws so that you can live and grow in a safe and healthy environment.

What are the main principles of the Convention?

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is based on four main principles :

  1. the right to non-discrimination: you have the right to be respected, regardless of the colour of your skin, your origin, the language you speak or your religion and no one has the right to discriminate against you on the basis of your gender, status or disability;
  2. the best interests of the child: for all decisions that concern you, your opinion must be taken into account;
  3. the right to life: all countries must take care of your survival and good development;
  4. the right to freedom expression: you have the right to have an opinion and to express it freely, to be listened to and respected.

What events are organised in Luxembourg to inform children about their rights?

To raise awareness for children's rights, the Ministry regularly organises events that invite children and adolescents to actively participate in the defence of their rights.

Children's Rights Festival

The purpose of the Children's Rights Festival or Kannerrechtsfest, organised every year at the Parc merveilleux in Bettembourg, is to familiarise children, families and anyone interested in children's rights, with a variety and playful activities (children's rights trail, film screenings, games, information stands, etc.).

International Children's Day

On the International Children's Day, which takes place every year during the month of November, the ministry's actors and partners organise numerous activities and events throughout the country. The programme is published on the website www.droitsdelenfant.lu.

Children's Conference CHICO

Every year the children's conference brings together children from the age of 8 and educators from care facilities to talk about participation, democracy and children's rights.

Through participatory workshops, complex issues are made accessible to children, who can freely express their point of view and make themselves better understood.

More information is available on www.chico.lu.

Competition “Deng Zukunft. Deng Stëmm.”

The second edition of the creative competition Deng Zukunft. Deng Stëmm organised by the ministry and UNICEF took place in November 2022 on the theme "The school of tomorrow":

Protection of children from violence on the internet

As part of the fight against sexual abuse and violence, the Ministry raises awareness among the general public and professionals (round table, training day, reference platform) on the dangers linked to the use of the Internet and in particular the phenomenon of grooming.

Grooming is when an adult contacts a child, often online and under a false identity, for the purpose of sexually abusing this child or extorting money. Contact can be established over an extended period of time, so as to create a relationship of trust and facilitate the actual exploitation. The latter can take different forms: "real life" encounters for the purpose of sexual abuse; solicitation to send sexually explicit photos; blackmail using these photos to obtain money or more sexual abuse material.

How to explain their rights to children and young people?

The following websites are specially designed for children and explain their rights in appropriate language. Some sites offer educational games and activities to discover the law through play and practice. Other links put children’s rights in relation with current and recent events. Links to educational materials for children, families or educational staff are offered in the last position.

 

Children's rights explained to children – general information

Videos in Luxembourgish:

  • Video: Children's rights explained in two minutes
    • Video clip on children's rights, produced by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth in collaboration with the directorate and students of Lënster Lycée International School (LLIS) on the occasion of the International Children's Day, celebrated each year on November 20
  • Video: Children's rights explained to the youngest
    • Video clip on children's rights, produced by Unicef Luxembourg in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth

Information in German:

Information in French:

Children's rights explained to children – news
Children's rights explained to children – main topics
Children's rights explained to children – teaching material

Last update