The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to have its very own Human Rights Act, which came into force in 2004. Next year we will be marking its 20th anniversary.
Some of the language in the Act is complicated, which makes it difficult for many children and young people to understand. This year Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Helen Watchirs and Children and Young People Commissioner, Jodie Griffiths-Cook are partnering to produce some child and youth friendly resources that explain the rights within the Act in accessible language and formats.
To make sure these resources will be attractive to children and young people, Jodie and her team are currently visiting schools across the ACT to talk to students about human rights, where they go to get information, and what formats they prefer it in.
So far Jodie and her team have met with more than 160 students between the ages of 8 and 18.
“We are running hands on activities, that are designed to get students to explore their rights and which help us learn how different age groups talk about these concepts. We learn the words and phrases they use so we can explain rights in ways they will recognise,” Jodie explained
An illustration by a year 6 student. During this session students were asked to brainstorm the rights they think children have.
“We have also been asking students where they go for information. The top two places they go came as a bit of a surprise.
“I was fully expecting online sources to be popular, and they are, but I was really happy to hear that adults in real life, at home or at school, are just as important to children and young people as sources of reliable information.
“So we know we need to provide online information about their rights, as well as make sure teachers and families have information to support them to talk to their kids about human rights too,” she said.
The consultation is ongoing, and the resources will be created over the next few months. If you would like more information, contact Jodie’s team at actkids@act.gov.au