OSUN Themes: Democratic Practice; Global Justice; Human Rights
Child Rights Protection
Term: January 16, 2024 – March 14, 2024Level: 300-Level
Day/Time: Tuesday; Thursday 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM EST
Instructor: Venera Urbaeva, American University of Central Asia
Around the world, children and adolescents make up over a quarter of the world population and are often the most vulnerable group at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, and various forms of neglect. Children and adolescents are increasingly impacted by armed conflict, fragility, poverty, natural disasters, and climate change, facing intersecting vulnerabilities. Children affected by violence at home, in school, and online, children in conflict and contact with the law, children deprived of parental care, and children survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking experience multiple violations of their rights guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC).
This course explores the origins of child rights and the history of development of the main treaty that accords children their rights, the UN CRC. The course encourages students to understand factors that impact children's well-being and fulfillment of their rights from a human rights perspective. While diving into theoretical aspects, the course increasingly focuses on the practical application of knowledge gained through this course. As such, a field visit to a local social service center will be organized to learn about legal counseling and psycho-social support services available for children survivors of various forms of violence. Students dive into the fascinating multi-disciplinary angle of child protection understanding the various actors (state- and non-state stakeholders) that play a role in enhancing child and adolescent well-being and realization of their rights. The course enables students to analyze challenges that impact child rights implementation and ways to protect children and adolescents from harm so they can develop to their full potential.
Credits: 3 US / 6 ECTS