Children as Citizens?

Book excerpt: The rights of children as citizens have become an increasing focus of international attention as the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is celebrated in 2009. The key components of citizenship include entitlement to respect and recognition, opportunities for belonging and meaningful participation in society, the right to express an opinion and have it taken into account, and the fulfillment of duties to others. This book reports on research with children and young people in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, and South Africa. There were ideas they held in common - obeying the law, respecting and helping others, working hard - but it was also found that certain features of different nations - whether inequality in Brazil, migration and multiculturalism in Australia and New Zealand, or conflict and occupation in Palestine - were reflected in how the children interpreted their rights, responsibilities, and citizenship. Children as Citizens? International Voices is the result of collaborative research by the Childwatch International Citizenship Study Group.