FMSI invites the Marist world to prepare the Universal Children’s Day

Today we bring you the VOICES OF THE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS from Guatemala. Click here to locate this country on the map. In our first email, we mentioned that the first objective of the Universal Children’s Day celebration was to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and adolescents.

One of the links in the message helped you discover the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Each day you will have the opportunity to read at least one article regarding the different rights of children and adolescents.

Convention on the Rights of the Child – Article 1

For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier. We now bring you three testimonies of adolescents from Guatemala, which the Human Rights Council examined in 2012. Recommendation 89, submitted by Norway, reads:“Implement specific, long-lasting and effective measures to reduce the alarmingly high rate of children suffering from chronic malnutrition, especially among the indigenous population, in which eight out of ten children are affected, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).”These teenagers are studying in a Marist school called Instituto Tecnológico K’iché. They speak about the problems of education, health and poverty in their country. 

“The majority of the Guatemalan citizens are of indigenous origin. For this reason, sometimes, because of lack of education, or due to the fact of low income, they live in poverty and especially they lack food. Those especially affected by this situation are the children. The parents do not have sufficient resources to consume healthy food of good quality, because the price of these is very high, or simply they do not have sufficient information concerning basic nourishment.<In Guatemala malnutrition is a problem that affects the country, especially the poorest. A solution that I see for this is to guarantee their rights as citizens.  The more affected are the indigenous people.  We all should learn to eat in a healthy manner guaranteeing the economic resources to live better”. Juana Verónica Jerónimo Nix.

 “Children should be taught the rights in a way they can understand, thinking like they do, using games and enjoying.  We do not want a senseless life and without value neither do we want to live in ignorance. Rights exist and these should not only favor the children born in a golden cradle, but also the children who live in the countryside from infancy, who work from the age of 11 and 12 years having to carry on their shoulders the needs of their families. We want the rights to guarantee the opportunity to study, to play, to have leisure time, and time of rest. In this way, acquire wisdom and intelligence, so that Guatemala can grow and progress to receive new generations of children”. Fátima Lorenzo.

  “It is important to foster in our society values such as respect, humility, tolerance, and solidarity and to practice these, in order to eliminate discrimination. On the other side, it is important to promote the participation of children with disability, to create the conditions so that they can feel secure and can trust.  Besides, persons should also have to accept them and help them, encourage them and support them to keep on going and to participate in a higher level in our society. After all, we are all human beings and children of God. “A person with some disability that can overcome these problems becomes an example for everyone”. Brayan Steven López. 

What do you make of these testimonies? Similar situations take place all over the world. Do they also happen in your country? We invite you to read articles 24 and 28 of the Convention regarding health and education. Consider mentioning this situation to the people in your school, to your friends, coworkers, Marist community, family, etc. If you are a teacher, think about discussing the topic with your class. Be creative! FMSI would welcome your comments on its Facebook page. We invite you to reflect on these important issues regarding the children of your country and of the entire world. 

Stay tuned! See you tomorrow! 

Yesterday we shared with you the reality of many Guatemalan children. Were you able to check all the suggested links? Congratulations! 10, 9, 8…

Yesterday we also presented you article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Now you can read article 2 of the Convention:

Convention on the Rights of the Child – Article 2

1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child’s parents, legal guardians, or family members.

Today we bring you the VOICES OF THE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS from Brazil, a country that is not only about soccer and the famous Carnival! Click here to get more information.

Yesterday’s email recalled that one of the objectives of theUniversal Children’s Day is to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and adolescents. Did you contact someone from Guatemala on the FMSI Facebookpage?

We have received many testimonies about the situation of children in Brazil. Now we will get to know the opinions of a group of students from the Marist schools of Contagem (Minas Gerais) and Balsas (Maranhão). They address social and political issues.

Before reading the testimonials, let us look at one of the recommendations the UN presented to Brazil in its last review: “Take more effective action to address the problem of social and economic inequalities, particularly in the areas of health, education and unemployment for the population of urban and rural areas” (Recommendation 154, submitted by Malaysia).

“The social inequality in the country is exorbitant, in such a way that it is situated in one of the worse places in the ranking of inequality and education.  Our government has enough money to change the situation, and therefore, it is unacceptable that this country continues in a situation of total abandonment.

Brazil needs effective public policies, in order to be able to diminish inequalities, to invest in education from the very first years by means of projects addressed to the poor population, oriented to effective results for the development of the population; the involvement of all the citizens is still necessary in the search for equality among the social classes. 

A clear example is public education in the country that if this could make up for the needs and reach all, another type of school would not be necessary and much less with a system of fees to be paid.

Nobody can deny that education is, no doubt, the basis of everything, especially of persons and of the most humble places.  Education, certainly, is efficacious for a good social development of the country, trying to reduce the social and moral harm”.  Bruna Rafaela, Luan Caio, Luana Araújo and Marcela Leite.

“Education in Brazil is experiencing a significant development, above all, after the Constitution of 1998.  It is not easy to analyze it, since in it are integrated social, political and economic questions which present the chaotic image of instability in which is found the true state of education in the country. 

Beginning with the Constitution all children and young people found a place in the educational plan with the right to formal contents, schooling and the exercise of citizenship. The conditions for the construction of a society with social justice depend on the universalization of quality primary education. One of the reasons why education does not progress as it should is corruption that affects so very much contributing to degradation in society. Instead of the Government using the resources that it has to improve education, as well as economy and society, those resources are absorbed by Congress in commissioned charges privileging themselves and leaving aside without structures those who really need support”.   Jayanne Helisse Briano Araújo.

You will find other testimonials at the FMSI website.

As we did yesterday, we invite you to comment on this issue with your Marist community; at school with your pupils, colleagues and friends; with your family, etc. Bring about this debate in your classroom! Be creative!

You can leave your comments at the FMSI Facebook page.

We invite you to reflect on these important issues regarding the children of your country and of the entire world.

Stay tuned! See you tomorrow!

This is the fourth day in our countdown towards the Universal Children’s Day promoted by the United Nations. 10, 9, 8, 7… Today is November 12 and we will get to know this important international organization.

Each year, a group of students from the Marist school of Carcavelos, Portugal, visits the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. Isabel, who teaches in this school, has a Facebook page where you can exchange views about their annual visit.

The United Nations is an international organization that gathers 193 member States. Founded after the Second World War, it aims at maintaining peace and security in the world, encouraging friendly relations among the Nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

You can watch a video about the main objectives, goals, history and curiosities of the UN, and visit their website here.

We will also get to know the testimony of several Marist students regarding education and the interests of children, which the UN’s International Convention on the Rights of the Child explains in detail.

Convention on the Rights of the Child – Article 3, Best Interest of the Child

1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.

3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision.

“We could improve the laws, which are centered more on the truthfulness of an adult at the moment of being in the tribunal to consider themes of children.  Today, the opinion of these children is not taken into account or considered. With the approbation of the bill for the integral protection, the child’s opinion would be asked and his participation would be assured in decisions of private, public institutions, justice tribunals and the National Congress.

We could also change the inequality since a great difference exists in the situation of children, from the time they are born until they reach adolescence; difference in opportunities and lack of protection of the children. For this reason this project would set a true precedent, since with this law innumerable themes could be touched upon from the sexual to the social, such as violations and the lack of presence at the time of giving an opinion.

This law is necessary because today the Chilean society is concerned only of the children who are in social risk since our laws are paternalistic.  For this reason it is necessary to support this project in order to change the juridical focus.

Finally, we can conclude ratifying that higher or greater interest for children and young people is fundamental. In order that they have value they have to be given juridical and administrative tools in order to assert their rights and improve society.” Nicolás Vergara Videla, 17 years, Institute Chacabuco, Los Andes, Chile

“We are aware that in our country a strategy that really guarantees quality basic education for many young people is philanthropy.  An example of this are the students of the School Conde Marista Champagnat, which is a philanthropic school in which all the pupils have resources, qualified teachers, that is, a whole team so that we can obtain academic knowledge and also the education of character, ethics, morals and the vision of the world.   

Iran agreed with the suggestion that children and adolescents have the right to receive education in their daily life. Therefore, the persons who direct or govern our country should strengthen all the programs and projects related with education and also, each one of us, as Brazilians should seek prosperity through supporting this type of existing initiatives and projects. 

Besides, it is something of critical importance to implement, assume the commitment with education of Brazil, the expansion of these projects is very important, including philanthropy, of which we give witness that it is effective. The creation of new projects is necessary that involve children and adolescents in the value of education, knowledge and the development of intelligence”. Isaac Almeida, Lorrayne Cristina, Khênia Souza and Zaine Mendes, Brazil.

Read more testimonials at the FMSI website.

After all this reflection and information, you have plenty of materials to share with your pupils, colleagues and friends. However, let us read first articles 4 and 5 of the Conventionhere.

FMSI would welcome your feedback on this topic. You can write your opinion on the FMSI Facebook page.

We invite you to reflect on these important issues regarding the children of your country and of the entire world.

Stay tuned! See you tomorrow!

Would you like you know more about the UN? Have you ever thought about visiting the UN offices or studying some of their topics? 10, 9, 8, 7, 6… Today is Friday, November 13.

Many people have expressed their opinion on the FMSI Facebook page. If you haven’t done so yet, don’t miss the opportunity. You can take some time during the weekend.

Today we are visiting another country located in South America. We are concretely referring to Chile. Learn more about this beautiful country here.

Yesterday you read a testimony from a Chilean teenager regarding the Best Interests of the Child. We will discuss this issue and others later in this mail.

Convention on the Rights of the Child – 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.

As in the case of Guatemala and Brazil, the United Nations evaluated the implementation of human rights in Chile in 2013.

The evaluation resulted in several recommendations, among which we chose the following: “Pass an integral protection law and establish an independent Children’s Ombudsman according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child”.

A number of students from three Marist schools in Chile sent us their testimonies. We have chosen two: Loreto Rojas from Champagnat School (Villa Alemana) and Javiera Oyarzo Navarrete from Chacabuco Institute (Los Andes City).

“The most important thing is that my country should fulfill what it has offered and favors and approves the law of integral protection of boys, girls and adolescents that the rights be truly respected, our rights. To be able to enjoy our childhood becomes a need today.

If I had the opportunity to be in charge of the national authority I would state that if the previous would be fulfilled exactly and would not be only an offering, false hopes, it would really bring about a change. It would be good if the adults would watch that it was kept. In this way violence would decrease, rights would be respected, good persons would be formed and we would not continue the cycle of vulnerability which affects, I believe, more seriously, the little ones.  

Now if they ask me what I can do about this, I would say to privilege the well-being of children, help in any possible way, denounce if there is ill treatment, be a human being who can be trusted and offer my support.” Loreto Figueroa Rojas, 15 years, Colegio Champagnat, Villa Alemana.

“I believe that one of the most important commitments that the State of Chile assumes is to establish an independent defender of childhood who can mediate among the different parts in which children and young persons of the country are the participants.

To watch or be attentive not only to give protection in the case of abandonment, of danger situations and of risk in which many children live, but also giving them attention, listening and taking into account their opinion, is fundamental for their growth and for the future of the country.

The law of integral protection would also be a good measure since it would go hand in hand with the defender of childhood. It is convenient to point out the importance to create a good conscience, not only in adults to listen with respect and attention but also that of children, where they feel protected, where they can freely give their opinion, seeing that they contribute something to the country  and that they want to work and improve things around them.  

A person who is listened to knows that there are places around him to dialogue and would want to participate in that.

Even if this phrase is repeated much “children are the future”, if we invest in the future, in practices of protection for those who are being formed, it will be possible to grow as thinking persons who have the desire and wish for innovation around them.

Chile would undergo gradual or slow changes in time, on the one side to know how to dialogue to resolve problems that arise.  Another one, the protection that children can feel in situations of risk and lastly the overcoming and improvement of those to whom no possibilities have been given or external factors have not allowed them to make their own decisions. 

I believe that the school could be one of the places to develop projects for childhood insertion, educational aides and prevention means. 

As pupils we can contribute through the center of pupils and activities related with social insertion and as a place of encounter with other realities.”  Javiera Oyarzo Navarrete, 15 years, Institute Chacabuco, Los Andes.

You can read more testimonials on the FMSI website.

Do you know the Children’s Rights Protection Law of your country?

We invite you to comment on this issue with your Marist community; at school with your pupils, colleagues and friends; with your family, etc. Bring about this debate in your classroom!

Be creative!

Please leave a comment at the FMSI Facebook page.

We invite you to reflect on these important issues regarding the children of your country and of the entire world.

We wish you a happy weekend. You will receive another email on Monday.

This is the second to last day in our countdown. Tomorrow we will celebrate the Universal Day of the Child. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2…

Yesterday we read something about the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In many countries, there is a National Council on the Rights of the Child. The creation of these Councils is a right that many countries still have to achieve and implement.

Today we will get to know Australia, the last country on our list. It is a much bigger “island” than Madagascar! You have probably seen a live kangaroo, a koala, a eucalyptus tree, and many other beautiful things that come from that continent. Click here for more information.

Remember that the first objective of the Universal Children’s Day celebration is to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children, adolescents, and young people.

Like the previous countries we mentioned, Australia also received recommendations from the United Nations regarding the Rights of the Child:

“Establish a National Court for Compensation, as recommended by the report ‘Bringing them Home’, in order to compensate the Torres Strait aboriginal and islander people that were adversely affected by the assimilation policy, especially the children unfairly separated from their families, as well as the parents separated from their children” (Recommendation submitted by Slovenia).

“Ensure that no child is detained because of his or her migratory situation, and provide assistance and protection to non-accompanied minors” (Recommendation submitted by Brazil).

We present you with the testimony of another Marist student who speaks about these recommendations. He reflects about theRights of the Child in his great country, Australia.

Convention on the Rights of the Child – Article 30

In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practise his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.

“The quality of life for children in Australia varies drastically depending on specific region, and as such, blanket statements and policies are often difficult to implement to great effect. For example, the recommendation published by Slovenia, indicating the desire to establish a Compensation Tribunal for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were negatively affected by the Assimilation Policy of the fifties may be beneficial in some cases, but does not take into consideration the pertinent issues within Aboriginal communities relative to misuse of welfare and government payments. As such, it is my belief that any sort of change in attitude or stance pertaining to the rights of children needs to reflect the individual location and circumstance of the case in question.

With this in mind, the recommendations made by Morocco and Switzerland, which entail adapting and strengthening federal legislation in order to combat discrimination and ensure greater safety for women and children, would do well to be considered by authoritative bodies.

Out of all the recommendations presented in the document, perhaps the most contemporarily relevant is the Brazilian: ‘Ensure that no children are held in detention on the basis of their migratory status and that special protection and assistance is provided to unaccompanied children.’ With recent revelations and insights as to the poor treatment of children in asylum seeker detention centres under the currently strict immigration policy of the government, this recommendation should be taken into serious account as the country moves forward.

In summary, it is my opinion that the best recommendations presented by the nations are the ones that are focused and allow for a case-by case analysis for children being affected by disadvantage and poverty in our modern Australian society”.Darcy Bowers, Marist student.

What do you make of Darcy’s testimony? Are indigenous people and migrants discriminated in your country? You can read what the Convention states about non-discrimination and imprisonment in articles 2 and 27.

What does your Marist community and your colleagues make about this? Bring about a discussion in your classroom.

FMSI would welcome your feedback, so please leave your comments at the Foundation’s Facebook page.

We invite you to reflect on these important issues regarding the children of your country and of the entire world.

Stay tuned! Tomorrow is the last day!

• Promote mutual exchange and understanding among children;
• Launch an initiative to support and promote the well-being of children around the world;
• Celebrate the Children’s Day annually.

GUATEMALA

“In order to be able to detect the ill treatment that is given to children, it is necessary to dialogue with them so that they feel free to express themselves and say how they feel in the environment where they are. For a child it is very easy to make known the state in which he finds himself, the only thing necessary is to give him some attention and dedication in order to see where he feels unsatisfied, and in order to avoid the ill treatment, respect and protection for the children should be promoted, since they are the future and the new generation.  For this reason it is necessary to count on qualified personnel to deal with them”. Marisol Pixcar, ITECK, Chichicastenango.

“In order to be able to intensify the rights of the child it is very important that the parents have employment, because if the parents do not have a good income the children will not be able to study and in that case the right to study is not fulfilled. In Guatemala many families are poor and because of lack of money the parents send their children to work; the children work and because they work they do not go to school, nor do they relate with other children of their age.  A child does not only need to study, he also needs the love of his parents.  I think that in Guatemala employment and study are essential in order to fight against poverty and in order that children can study and know their rights”. Mario Javier Lux Macario, ITECK, Chichicastenango.

“At present there are many children who are punished especially in the cases of those children who fail in a subject or examination in school, or because they disobey.  They are hurt and punished corporally and perhaps in the future they will suffer some mental illness or keep some resentment toward other persons. In what I have seen personally I am aware that certain parents punish their children by hitting them with belts, wires used for electricity or some other instrument and this for the only reason that the child failed an examination; but many times the parents do it without being conscious, aware of their own acts, since every child needs the help, the company of his parents, their help.  But to punish the children is not the only solution, but it would be better to speak with them and ask them what has happened and if they can be helped”. Heidy Susana Tiniguario Tzoc, Instituto Tecnológico K’iché.

“To be able to indicate or show an efficient change before this situation, it is necessary to study the problem in its very roots or origin, since our life begins at home, I consider that what I will be in the future will depend on this, since having as an almost unavoidable model, we become a reflection of what we have seen during our first years, in being impressed or affected by violent images, man then takes in himself the examples that he has seen.  I consider that this is the cause of the ill treatment to children, we can also attribute to this that in school the ill treatment to children results from the lack of vocation of the educators, but we also have to face the new problem named bulling by which children who have other problems brought from home, lack personality and they desire to despise others to consider them less”.  Kevin Nelson Tol Ventovo, Instituto Tecnológico K’iché, El Quiché, Chichicastenango.

BRAZIL

“Negroes, White, Yellow and Indians are all the same. There should be more opportunities for the Negroes, since it is difficult to see a Negro who is “head or leader”, since there is no equality or respect, but I do not remember if it was a Negro doctor or a negro lady doctor who took care of me the last time:  there are laws but they are not kept”. Guilherme Andrade, Vila Velha, ES.

“The quality of education in Brazil also represents a great challenge for the development of the country, it also represents a negative aspect for the development of the country, since besides the criticism, the rate that reflects the contempt of the government regarding the component elements of the educational process is very high”. Rayssa Guimarães Rosa, Balsas, MA.

CHILE

“I think that the most important commitment is number 4 (a juridical frame for the integral protection of the rights of migrants) because this is not fulfilled, because in many places children very frequently suffer discrimination and the State has not reacted regarding this problem, and there are several children who have died a cause of discrimination.”  Siu Mei Wong Gajardo, 12 years, Institute Chacabuco, Los Andes.

“I think that childhood is a fundamental stage, an adult is the fruit of childhood, if we want a just and egalitarian world we need persons who are ready to help others, available, persons who are aware, persons who understand what the essence of the human being is, what makes us different from animals. And the only thing that can change the destiny of a person is to be well directed, influenced well from childhood, a healthy childhood, far away from drugs, far from delinquency.”     Sofía Toro Molina, 14 years, Institute Chacabuco, Los Andes.

“Well, definitively things would change very much in equality, respect, everyone would have the same value in society and there would be more inclusion regarding the indigenous people, migrants and tribal groups from Chile and many others, the country would be much better.”Natalia Gallegos Bustos, 16 years, Institute Chacabuco, Los Andes.

 
MADAGASCAR

“Children have the right to be with their parents. In my neighborhood, some children do not live with their parents. They live with other members of the family, and I notice that some of them are not happy.  There are those who ask when it will be that one will be fully joyful in the presence of the parents. I have a friend who lives with her uncle; she said that she misses her parents very much.  She is not at peace at her uncle’s home, she works instead of going to school, and she follows the order of her uncles, since she lives in his house”. RAFANOMEZANTSOA Nadirah Michelà Reinharda, 15 years.

“In daily life, we speak all the time about the rights of children but we do not apply them well. In Madagascar, as a developing country, one is aware that the rights of children are not a priority. The criminals, the robberies, the violence are things that mark that lack of respect towards the children.  In certain cases, it is not the will of the people, of parents, but it is because of poverty”.RAKOTONDAFARA Tahiry Nomena Eleonore, 15 years.

“Children have rights because they are innocent and incapable of defending themselves. These rights allow them to do some things that they like or they want to do in life. These children have the right to live peacefully so that they can live and grow to become adults. In my country Madagascar, the parents send their children to work or to beg on the street.  There are still so many things that one can still say about the lack of respect for the rights of children, but I speak only in the name of all those children who suffer very much in my country”. ANDRIANAIVO Loïca, 13 years.

“Concerning the rights of children, some children do not profit of those rights, in a neighborhood called 67Ha Sud, in the capital of Madagascar, some children do not have any rights. I take the example of children who study in the public primary school of this neighborhood, because the parents cannot pay the expenses in private schools. There is a certain pressure, and the education that the children receive is not very good.  And the other children cannot continue to secondary school since the parents are poor.  That right to education still remains a great challenge for us here in Madagascar, the State cannot do too much, and there is also the political problem that still exists”. RAMANDIMBIARISON  Imahalimanana Pâcome, 14 years.