Page - 62 - in Reflective Cosmopolitanism - Educating towards inclusive communities through Philosophical Enquiry

62 REfLECTIvE COsMOPOLITANIsM are: to protect children from harmful influences, violence, abuse and exploitation; the right to life, survival and development; to participate fully in family, cultural and social life; the rights to respect the views of the children etc. But there are many disagreements about human rights in general and also there are disagreements about children’s rights. Even if national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children’s rights, many of them did not include the articles of the convention into their constitution. So there are many open questions: Do children possess rights as children? Can children claim to possess certain rights? Who is responsible for the protection of children’s rights? You can also find resources on the concept of “children’s rights” in the manual to Tina and Amir, episode 1, leading idea 1, discussion plan and exercise on children´s rights. Exercise: Do children have rights? Please discuss the following statements and give reasons for if you agree or disagree. Agree Disagree ? “Children have the right to education.” “Children have the right to have their own mobile phone.” “Children have the right to be respected.” “Children have the right to have their own room.” “Children have the right to be protected against starvation.” “Children have the right to form their own opinions about their football team, their favorite comics, their teachers and their religion.” “Children have the right to decide themselves what their rights are.” Discussion Plan: How do other people know what is good for you? 1. Do some people have the right to tell other people what to do? 2. Do adults always know what is best for children? 3. Can anyone know what is good for another person? 4. Can adults do whatever they want and no-one can tell them what to do? 5. Do friends always know what is best for you? 6. When should you do what someone else tells you? 7. When should you decide yourself? Episode 7 Leading Idea 1: Friendship Again children are exploring the concept of friendship. Now they are discussing if some- one who is from a different country, grew up in a different culture, who looks differently and speaks another language can be a friend.