What is the "My Promise to Children" campaign?
My Promise to Children is a civil society digital-led campaign that aims to activate the Promise the world made 25 years ago to children, when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on 20 November 1989.
The CRC can only become a reality when it is understood and respected by everyone—within the family, in schools and other institutions that provide services for children, in communities and at all levels of administration.
What are child rights /CRC?
One way to understand “child rights” is to think about what is best for children in any given situation; and what is critical to their life and protection from harm. “Rights” are things every child, everywhere, must have to survive, thrive and meet their potential. All children from birth to 18 have the same rights:
- right to survival and health;
- right to development (education, leisure and play);
These rights are listed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which the United Nations General Assembly adopted on 20 November 1989. All these rights are connected to one another; and all are equally important—a child can neither give up nor lose their rights, regardless of their behaviour or social context.
Almost every country in the world, including Malaysia, has agreed to these rights for children. Malaysia acceded to the CRC on 17 February 1995.
Shouldn’t the Government be responsible for these rights?
While governments are responsible for protecting children’s rights, families play a really important role in helping children realise their rights. Children develop best if their families and/or carers raise them in a healthy, loving and nurturing environment. Families, parents especially, are key to ensure children are well-looked after – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually so they grow up to become responsible members of society.
Beyond the family, civil society – and especially those responsible for children’s wellbeing: teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, journalists, lawmakers, all have a duty to children.
Children too are responsible for their rights; and for protecting these rights for other children.
If children are given too much rights, won’t they misbehave?
The CRC is actually explicit about the fact that children not only have rights, but also the responsibility to respect the rights of others, especially of their parents. It states that one of the aims of education should be the development of respect for the child's parents, and their values and culture. Rather than creating conflict between the rights of parents and the rights of children, the CRC encourages an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and mutual respect.
The issue of respect for others appears in several articles. For example, the CRC states that children have the right to freedom of expression, and the right to meet with others or to form associations. But it stipulates that in exercising these rights, they must also respect the rights, freedoms and reputations of others.
Why are we having this Campaign now?
November 20, 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the CRC; while 2015 will commemorate 20 years of the CRC in Malaysia. (Malaysia acceded to the CRC on 17 February 1995).
These key milestones provide the opportunity to shine the spotlight and to raise awareness on the CRC to the public, in particular duty bearers and children.
How long will this Campaign run?
The campaign will kick off on 20 November 2014 (25th anniversary of the CRC) and continue until March 2015.
Why should I care about this Campaign?
Children’s rights can only come to life when everyone is aware that children have rights; and play their respective roles to protect and nurture children.
Despite significant strides made by the Government of Malaysia to improve children’s well-being in Malaysia, as seen in the progress in primary healthcare for children and in primary school enrollment; challenges remain. In 2012, Malaysia’s Child Rights Coalition highlighted three key challenges for children in their Status Report on Child Rights. These are: (a) Violence, neglect, abuse and maltreatment of children; (b) Corporal punishment; (c) discrimination faced by marginalized and disadvantaged groups who include children from the rural and urban poor; indigenous children; children with disabilities; and undocumented children.
The Campaign will help the public (and children) learn about the CRC and the significance of knowing about children’s rights as the first step towards empowerment. Knowledge is key; and we hope this knowledge will inspire conversations in Malaysia about children’s rights; especially amongst parents and youth; and translate into actions that will protect every child and help them to survive, develop and realize their potential.
Who is behind this Campaign?
My Promise to Children is brought to life by 9 key organisations in Malaysia – professional associations, NGOs and corporates - who are committed to children’s wellbeing.
They are the Association of Registered Child Care Providers Malaysia; Bar Council Malaysia; Child Rights Coalition of Malaysia; DiGi Telecommunications Sdn. Bhd; ISOBAR; Malaysian Paediatric Association; National Early Childhood Intervention Council; The School Jaya One; and UNICEF.
What role do I have?
Each of us is responsible for transforming our communities into places that we care about - and actively support and protect children. Each of us must pay attention to the kind of efforts that will help children be the best they can be. And to be responsible in preventing harm to the child.
How can I participate?
The My Promise to Children website - www.mypromisetochildren.org - provides the public a platform to unite and show their support to children. By visiting the website, you can:
- Learn more about child rights. The website provides resources and opportunities (videos, quiz, gameshow, school manuals) to engage, educate and empower all of us to take action for children’s rights.
- Make your promise to children on our website or via our app to show solidarity across the country for all children!
- Spread the word via your social media assets and by tagging your friends and followers.
- Share materials on the website with their friends, loved ones and colleagues. All information on the website has Facebook and Twitter sharing capabilities so that users can help spread the word to help bring children’s rights alive.
- Download our virtual badge and use it as your Facebook profile to help us spread the awareness of children rights. You can also give encouragement by coming out with positive quotes and tag friends you know who are also a parent.
What do you hope to achieve with all of this engagement?
We hope that the information from the website will inspire the public to begin conversations about how they can make Malaysia a better place for children – not just for their children; but for all children in the country. Conversations that will take place over a neighbour's fence, at the office coffee machine, while in queue at the bank or grocer as well as through letters to editors and on the internet through blogs, tweets and Facebook updates.
Where can I get advice to ensure my child’s wellbeing?
The My Promise to Children campaign website will have a special Ask the Experts section for the public to get advice on issues relating to quality childcare in Malaysia, child health; and online safety.
Attached is a social media pack that provides some basic information on the Campaign; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the partners etc.
It also has text-based posts which you can adapt to your own voice for social media posting. There are two types – general child rights as well as CRC article-specific posts. Would also appreciate it if you could include the hashtag: #Promise2Children and the URL www.mypromisetochildren.org in your postings.
The Campaign also has its own social media accounts:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyPromiseToChildren
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypromise2kids
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/mypromisetochildren
Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJCXQ2V7P1o&feature=youtu.be |
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