Rights: Now! Engaging with children on matters that affect them

The Rights: Now! Level 2-3 education resource provides a great introduction for you and the children to develop an understanding and practical application of children’s rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (the Children’s Convention).   

This resource has a specific focus on a child’s right to have their say, participate and be heard on issues that affect them.   

Rights: Now! includes two sessions and hands-on activities as well as background information and resources.  It provides children with the opportunity to exercise their right to have a say in their world, whether it be in their school, community or the whole country and is a great way to kick start the new year.

Links with the New Zealand Curriculum

The New Zealand Curriculum gives strong support to inquiry-based learning and to involving students in critical thinking. The lessons in Rights: Now! are designed to encourage learners as innovative thinkers and to critically analyse questions related to their rights. This resource aligns with principles and values from the Curriculum including future focus; innovation, inquiry and curiosity; and community participation. It also aligns with four of the five key competencies: thinking; managing self; relating to others; and participating and contributing.

The resource includes:

• Two lesson plans including hands-on activities
• Background information and resources
• A child friendly ‘Children’s Convention’ poster
• Opportunities for children to exercise their right to have a say in their world
• Support for teachers and facilitators

Quotes from the Rights: Now! pilot:

"Perfect context. Not over the top of the kids but pitched perfectly so they got it"

"One of students ran a strike when we introduced Banqer to our class and the entire class got behind him for the week with sitting their bags on the ground rather than being charged rent for a coat hook (interestingly they decided on the charge and suggested it). We had to negotiate but it was very interesting witnessing the solidarity and the way they articulated their feelings. They reminded us that it was their right to have an opinion. We even had the DP and Principal checking what was happening. A very democratic experience."

This resource is the byproduct of the Regenerate Christchurch engagement for the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor regeneration. See media of the engagement below.

To access the Rights: Now! resource and the 'Every Child has Rights' poster click on the appropriate links below.

We would love to hear from you about our resource. Please email any feedback to s.carvell@occ.org.nz

New resource: Supporting conversations about COVID-19

We have recently published an additional Rights: Now! resource to support children and young people to have conversations about COVID-19. It is available here.