This was written by Cathy on her last day as Director of Children’s Parliament.
This is my final day with Children’s Parliament. I’m off to pastures new – what they are, I don’t yet know, but I do know it’s time to leave Children’s Parliament in the capable hands of new Director, Dr Louise Hill, and a wonderful team of passionate and skilled colleagues.
Much has changed over the past 30 years since Colin and I established Children’s Parliament as a Scottish charity in 1996. We now have a Scottish Parliament and in July last year, MSPs voted unanimously to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, putting in place what John Swinney referred to as a process of ‘everyday accountability’. Since then, Duty Bearers have, or are putting in place, robust policy, guidance, legal redress and complaints mechanisms. Individuals and organisations now need to turn their attention to culture change, in order that environments in which children live, learn and play are ones that put dignity and respect at their heart. And this means turning the spotlight on adults.
Will Hutton, economist and journalist, writing in The Observer recently said, “Britain’s neglect of its children is a disgrace – a crisis for too many of our kids but also a condemnation of the absence of a rallying national purpose”. He is outraged at our lack of outrage.
A few notable people have been outraged at our lack of value of children and childhood over the years. Someone I read and quote frequently is Janusz Korczak, an author, doctor and pedagogue who ran an orphanage for Jewish children in Warsaw during the second world war and died in Treblinka death camp with the children in 1942. Korczak wrote a ‘Manifesto for Children’s Rights‘ in 1919. The Manifesto informed the development of what became the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Here are just a few of the rights Korczak called for:
The child has the right to be appreciated for what he is.
“The market value of the very young is small. Only in the sight of God is the apple blossom worth as much as the apple.”
The child has the right to respect for his secrets.
“If a child trusts you with his secret, be grateful, for his confidence is the highest prize.”
The child has the right to forgiveness.
“More often than not we are their harsh judges, rather than their counsellors and consolers.”
The child has the right to protest an injustice.
“We must end absolute authority. Always listen and try and see things through the eyes of the child.”
I will continue to be an Unfeartie through my work with STV Appeal Board, and provide bespoke support for individuals and organisations wishing to progress children’s human rights practice. If you would like to contact me after today, please email info@childrensparliament.org.uk and they will put you in touch.
And if you’re not already an Unfeartie, here’s the link to sign up Unfearties – Join the Network – Children’s Parliament. You’ll be in great company – wait till you hear who our new Chief Unfeartie is!
Wishing you all the best and thank you for being alongside me and Children’s Parliament,
Cathy
You can read Will Hutton’s full article here: Let’s end this sorry tale of state neglect and make childhood magical again | The Observer
More information about Janusz Korczak here: korczak.org.uk