Considers what rights children should have in their education. Argues that international tribunals should consider whether children have the right to participate in decisions about the type of education they receive and what rights they have under international law if they disagree with their parents' choices. Describes the convention and urges…

Discusses the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child as it seeks to establish the right of children to participate in discussions and decisions about their own situations. Includes action taken by children around the world to promote participation. Stresses the necessity of participation to become responsible, active citizens in a democracy.…

Describes the Amnesty International USA's Urgent Action letter writing program for schoolchildren. Discusses monthly cases, preparation material for parents and teachers, opportunities for classroom discussion, and a sample letter. Suggests that the program can be an action component in social studies, civics, religion, ethics, and English…

Describes the problem of police violence against street children in Guatemala. Includes details of cases, the problems of street children, and the work of Covenant House in trying to help and protect children. Argues that only education about human rights can obtain and preserve rights for children. (DK)

Discusses the teaching of children's rights in the Philippines. Suggests that the provisions of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child remain ineffective if not disseminated in companion programs. Argues that no rights exist without obligations. Describes nongovernmental organization, broadcast media, and government programs. (DK)

Presents a classroom activity designed to explore whether the world is becoming a better place for children. Describes the UNICEF publication, "The State of the World's Children," upon which the activity is based. Includes instructions on selecting, recording, and analyzing data drawn from the publication. Discusses continuation of the project by…

Examines multicultural and global education in relation to the growing concern for equity and social justice in the social studies curriculum. Suggests that global education studies global equity, whereas multicultural education teaches national equity. Argues that both types of programs, if well-designed and implemented, can fulfill the U.N.…

Discusses the use of multimedia for teaching human rights in Nigerian schools. Describes the curriculum as almost completely monocultural. Argues that human rights education must be approached within traditional interests and based on what people already know. Urges the demystification of rights. Warns that human rights reflect a Eurocentric…

Describes efforts toward human rights education in Europe and how these efforts might be utilized in teaching about children's rights. Offers examples of work to help children acquire a sense of their community and its structures. Includes student drafted charters and declarations, children's councils, cooperative education, and community service.…

Discusses the changing concept of human rights and important freedoms as the Soviet Union moved away from Communism toward democracy. Describes steps that have been taken in human rights education by various nongovernmental organizations. Suggests that the first priority is to educate children about human rights and, in so doing, develop the…

Describes a social studies unit for use in U.S. history courses or a class in contemporary social problems. Explores child labor in U.S. history and today. Includes questions, research, and discussion for small groups of students. Suggests that the unit helps students' view themselves as part of the learning process. (DK)

Suggests a bibliography dealing with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Lists sources for copies of the convention, basic sources, curricular materials, videos, and organizations. Includes works on children's rights under U.S. law and the right to education. (DK)

Consists of a listing of public and private organizations in the United States and abroad that are interested in children's rights. Includes human rights commissions, church-sponsored groups, and groups that are part of the United Nations. Gives addresses and names of persons to contact. (DK)

Discusses highlights of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child that a student outlines in a letter to Senator William Bradley of New Jersey. Includes children's needs and problems. Describes the health care situation in the United States and its effect on children from poor families. Argues that the convention contains many advantages and…

Sketches the history of U.S. child labor legislation through the 1920s and 1930s. Presents two historical documents for classroom use: a typescript of Georgia's child labor law from the early 1920s and a visit report by the Children's Bureau to a Georgia school superintendent. Suggests assignments, questions, analysis, and research. (DK)