Every child has the right to live safely, to learn, to recover and to enjoy leisure time. These fundamental rights are essential to the healthy development and well-being of children. At Save the Children, we work in Switzerland and around the world to ensure that every child is able to enjoy these rights with confidence. Our mission is to ensure that children survive, learn, play and are protected against violence – because being a child should never be put on hold.
Why is education important for a child’s development?
Input from Valeria Kunz, Responsible for International Education Programs
Every child has the right to education. But the education crisis has escalated dramatically in recent years as a result of wars and humanitarian crises, such as those witnessed in Ukraine and Gaza. Around 72 million children and young people affected by crisis around the world are unable to attend school. When I work in crisis areas, if I ask the children what they want most, the answer is almost always: «To go to school!» After all, education is often the only hope when everything else around collapses.
Education provides prospects, creates a daily structure and makes it possible to meet people of the same age. It can even save lives – especially when it comes to conveying important information: it helps young people learn what to do in the event of a disaster or how to protect themselves from landmines. The right to education is enshrined in Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It states that every child has the right to education and that signatories must implement this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunities.
Around 72 million children and young people affected by crisis around the world are unable to attend school.
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In the overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, many Rohingya girls do not have access to education due to strict gender norms and security concerns. Save the Children’s peer education programme offers a solution: girls who are taught in our learning centres become mentors and teach other girls who are unable to attend school. These peer learning groups encourage girls to learn basic literacy skills in the safety of their own home. Since the start of the programme, 2,460 girls have successfully completed the learning cycles and many of them have been able to continue their education.
What is the value of playing for children?
Input from Lara Künzler, Specialist for Child-friendly Spaces and Activities
Play is more than just a pastime – it is vital for a child’s physical, mental and emotional development. Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has the right to rest and leisure and to engage in play and recreational activities. Through play, children develop social skills, learn to solve problems and build up emotional resilience.
There is an infinite amount of creativity and playfulness in children. This has always fascinated me. As an art educator, I know that creative activity can unleash potential in a special way. Painting or making collages fosters the imagination and fine motor skills. Building a house out of cardboard or sewing a cuddly monster requires concentration, perseverance and often frustration tolerance.
There is an infinite amount of creativity and playfulness in children.
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Child-friendly rooms in asylum shelters are oases of well-being in which children, parents and employees enjoy spending time. They make an important contribution to non-formal education. As a result of months of flight, refugee children often lack important everyday educational experiences, such as how to handle scissors. Time and again, the cheerful atmosphere from these child-friendly rooms spills over into the corridor, the stairwell and other rooms. Colourful pennants or pictures the children have painted convey confidence and zest for life and thus also infect other residents.
How can the safety of children be guaranteed?
Input from Mai Groth, Program Manager Child Protection
A safe environment is the basis for a child’s well-being and development. Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child calls for the protection of children from physical and mental violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Without protection from violence and exploitation, children cannot develop their potential.
Families in Sri Lanka are desperate: since 2022, the country has been in an economic crisis that has driven thousands of families into poverty. As a result, more and more children find themselves in need and are exposed to the risk of child trafficking. The tourism industry is particularly affected.
For many travellers, Sri Lanka is considered a paradise in the Indian Ocean. But as a result of the economic crisis, basic needs such as food and clothing are becoming more and more expensive. This has not only exacerbated the plight of families, but has also led to an increase in child trafficking.
A safe environment is the basis for a child’s well-being and development.
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Children are often exploited as workers, forced into sex tourism or used for criminal activities. Nevertheless, child trafficking remains largely unnoticed in the country. Many of those affected receive little support for their recovery and reintegration. Through our commitment, we want to combat child trafficking in Sri Lanka effectively. To this end, we work closely with authorities and civil society organisations. In order to detect cases of child trafficking effectively and protect those affected, we bring the parties involved together and develop guidelines.
To make sure these guidelines are put into practice, we offer training for child protection staff. We also train professionals who help children to come to terms with what they have experienced – until they can simply be children again.
Children's rights should never be put on hold
Every child deserves to live, learn and play safely. These rights are essential for their development and well-being. Children’s rights are universal and non-negotiable, and it is our responsibility to protect and promote these rights. Support Save the Children and help us create a world where children can simply be children. Only together can we shape a future in which every child has the opportunity to grow up, learn and play safely.