| What
rights do young people have? |
In
1991 Britain signed up to the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child.
It
gives young people the right to (among other things) education,
good health, the right to be free of all forms of violence, and
- most importantly - the right to express their views and have
them taken into account on all matters that affect them.
All
British laws, policies and practices should abide by this convention.
So now you know!
| Are
there any organisations to help us? |
The
UK has a Youth Parliament which has three Gloucestershire youth
MPs, a British Youth Council and a National Youth Agency that campaign
for children's interests, and even a government department and minister
with special responsibility for children and young people.
Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland have Children's Rights Commissioners
and there is a campaign to get the government to appoint one for
England to speak up for the human rights of young people. London
also has its own children's commissioner.
See
the cool links page for more information.
| What
can I do in my area? |
Does
your school have a school council? It is one way that pupils can
have a say in the running of their school.
Want
a hot drinks vending machine in the canteen? Or improvements in
the cloakrooms or better changing facilities?
The
school council is the place pupils can air their views and have
direct influence on decisions affecting school life.
If
your school does not have a school council you can find out more
about setting one up at
This
organisation offers advice on how you can set up your own school
council, how to develop your citizenship skills and what benefits
it will create for you and your school.
Many
counties including Gloucestershire have local youth councils and
forums which are consulted by local authority decision-makers about
issues directly affecting the lives of young people - for example
future planning, rural transport and leisure facilities like skateparks
and sports centres.
| Where
can I find out more? |
Check
out our cool links page.
In
Gloucestershire you can find out how to become a youth MP or join
youth councils and forums in different parts of the county from
Lyn Oatey, youth participation worker. Telephone 01242 587279 or
e-mail lyn.oatey@virgin.net
Have
you got things done or changed in your community by kicking up a
fuss? Tell us your story - email gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
|
