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Classroom Learning Activities
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1. Identify a Community's Need for the Right to Education
Students refer to the 3-Step-Tool to Empowerment to identify a cause worth advocating for that relates to a community's obligation to provide a rights-respecting education for every child. This includes the following process:
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Knowledge of rights guides the child to identify a cause worth advocating for.
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2. Malala - Become a Peacemaker with her...
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Book Summary:
At the age of 16, she has written for the BBC (under a pseudonym) describing her life in Swat valley, stood up for education at various protests, been nominated for the Nobel peace prize and been shot in the eye socket and neck by one of the worlds most dangerous extremist terrorist organisations, the Taliban. I Am Malala, written from Malala's point of view, is a beautifully written, brutally honest and heart-warming tale of a girl's innocence and will to make a positive difference, and how she was almost lost to the hands of a brutal and suppressive body who attempted, and still continue to threaten, to kill her. Malala has been described as a martyr for her cause countless times. She's been portrayed as the 'poor brave girl who got shot' or the 'girl who survived the Taliban shooting and spoke at the UN'. We're all so caught up in making Malala sound like a heroine, that we forget she's a teenager as well. We're so busy talking about how brilliantly she speaks and what a wonderful vision she has for the world, that we tend to not care about her friends and her encounters, and what she likes to do in her free time. She's outstandingly bold, and a true idol, but Malala lives in the real world. She is one of us. The way the book progresses is so powerful, it tends to hold on even after you've closed that perfect last page. Every child in the world must read this, or must have Malala's story read to them. For us readers, it may seem like a fairytale. Malala now lives in the UK with her family; they're safe and happy. But the revolution that she started still continues to shake the world, and especially Pakistan, with its impact. There's still a long way to go before the children of Swat valley can pick up a book and a pen, stand up for education and not have their lives in danger. |
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Malala Yousafzai Addresses the United Nations - July 12, 2013
Unite with MalalaWe will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education.
No one can stop us! We will speak up for our rights and we will bring change to our voice. Our words can change the whole world because we are all together. Let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness. Let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty, and terrorism. Let us pick up our books and our pens; they are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution; education first. (Yousafzai, 2013) |
3. Malala the Powerful - Scholastic Scope
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The Language Arts Magazine Special Edition on Malala Yousafzai
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In Pakistan in October 2012, the Taliban attempted to assassinate 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai—a crusader for youth education. This is Malala’s incredible story of courage and survival.
Download all activities for the Scholastic Scope Malala the Powerful article here.
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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 17
States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health.
To this end, States Parties shall:
(a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29;
(b) Encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources;
(c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children's books;
(d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;
(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of articles 13 and 18.
Article 28
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
(a) Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
(b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and take appropriate measures such as the introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of need;
(c) Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by every appropriate means;
(d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children;
(e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the child's human dignity and in conformity with the present Convention.
3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international cooperation in matters relating to education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination of ignorance and illiteracy throughout the world and facilitating access to scientific and technical knowledge and modern teaching methods. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.
Article 29
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
(a) The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential
(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
(c) The development of respect for the child's parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own;
(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin;
(e) The development of respect for the natural environment.
2. No part of the present article or article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principle set forth in paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.
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 17
States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health.
To this end, States Parties shall:
(a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29;
(b) Encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources;
(c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children's books;
(d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;
(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of articles 13 and 18.
Article 28
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
(a) Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
(b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and take appropriate measures such as the introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of need;
(c) Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by every appropriate means;
(d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children;
(e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the child's human dignity and in conformity with the present Convention.
3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international cooperation in matters relating to education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination of ignorance and illiteracy throughout the world and facilitating access to scientific and technical knowledge and modern teaching methods. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.
Article 29
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
(a) The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential
(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
(c) The development of respect for the child's parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own;
(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin;
(e) The development of respect for the natural environment.
2. No part of the present article or article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principle set forth in paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.
Online Resources and References
Association for Childhood Education International - Promoting and supporting the optimal education, development, and well-being of children worldwide through professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society.
Equitas - Educate. Empower. Change: Advancing equality, social justice, and respect for human dignity in Canada and around the world through education.
Humanium Help the Children - Right to Education: Understanding children's right to education
Global Campaign for Education United States Chapter - Student Toolkit for Advocacy - The Global Campaign for Education, US (GCE-US) is a broadbased coalition of US organizations including faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), teachers unions, foundations, and scholars dedicated to ensuring greater access to quality basic education for children in developing nations. GCE-US promotes access to quality education as a basic human right and aims to mobilize the public to create political will in the US and internationally to improve educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children. As a coalition, we also work to promote greater awareness of the importance of pre-school education, eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, increase adult literacy rates, and prevent abusive child labor.
The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) was founded in 1999 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. GCE brings together major nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), teachers’ unions, and other civil society groups in more than 100 countries. GCE-US is an independent secretariat of GCE.
Malala Yousafzai Fund - Investing in Innovative and Effective Education Projects: Educate and Empower Girls around the World.
Scholastic Scope - The Language Arts Magazine - Malala the Powerful
The Green Belt Movement - Empowering communities to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods.
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization - The Right to Education
Youth for Human Rights - The Right to Education
Equitas - Educate. Empower. Change: Advancing equality, social justice, and respect for human dignity in Canada and around the world through education.
Humanium Help the Children - Right to Education: Understanding children's right to education
Global Campaign for Education United States Chapter - Student Toolkit for Advocacy - The Global Campaign for Education, US (GCE-US) is a broadbased coalition of US organizations including faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), teachers unions, foundations, and scholars dedicated to ensuring greater access to quality basic education for children in developing nations. GCE-US promotes access to quality education as a basic human right and aims to mobilize the public to create political will in the US and internationally to improve educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children. As a coalition, we also work to promote greater awareness of the importance of pre-school education, eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, increase adult literacy rates, and prevent abusive child labor.
The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) was founded in 1999 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. GCE brings together major nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), teachers’ unions, and other civil society groups in more than 100 countries. GCE-US is an independent secretariat of GCE.
Malala Yousafzai Fund - Investing in Innovative and Effective Education Projects: Educate and Empower Girls around the World.
Scholastic Scope - The Language Arts Magazine - Malala the Powerful
The Green Belt Movement - Empowering communities to conserve the environment and improve livelihoods.
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization - The Right to Education
Youth for Human Rights - The Right to Education