Vocabulary


Critical Thinking leads to Critical Awareness, which is an active, persistent and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in light of the grounds that support it, and the further conclusions to which it tends. (John Dewey, 1909) Critical Literacy is the product. 
Denial is the refusal of something that is requested or desired..
Empowerment is a process that helps people gain control over their own lives and act on issues that are important to them. It is also a social process because it occurs in relationship to others.
Oppression is a prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control.
Social Justice implies fairness and mutual obligation in society, meaning that we are responsible for one another, and that we should ensure that all have equal chances to succeed in life. 

Purpose - Oppression and Rights Denial

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Critical awareness in Children's Rights Education is to question oppression and denial of rights. The knowledge, values, and behaviours children acquired through Children's Rights Education have empowered children to question the root causes of social injustice as they advocate to realize children's rights for all children. Children first identified how critical awareness leads to critical literacy, which equips the child with the tools to question oppression and denial of rights. In this sub-unit, children analyze the terms oppression and denial of rights.
Child Asks: What is critical awareness in children's rights education?
Children's Rights Education enables the child to analyze the what is meant by oppression and denial of rights.
Child Answers: Oppression and denial of rights is not just.

Classroom Learning Activities

1. More information to come

Relevant Convention Articles

Article 12
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
Article 13
1. 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.
2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.
Article 14
1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
2. States parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
Article 15
1. States Parties recognize the rights of the child to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly.
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 42
States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known, by appropriate and active means, to adults and children alike.

Online Resources and References