Introduction to the Children’s Rights Initiative
Overview of the Initiative
The Children’s Rights Initiative at GC Central Asia is a regional Programme launched in April 2024 to raise awareness, promote education, and support advocacy on children’s rights in Central Asia. As part of the Global Campus network, the initiative seeks to empower young people, engage with communities, and build intergenerational dialogue across the region. It reflects a strong commitment to human rights education and sustainable social development with children and youth at the center.
Goals and Objectives
The Children’s Rights Initiative at GC Central Asia aims to:
- Raise awareness of children’s rights through education, public dialogue, and creative outreach.
- Promote intergenerational justice, ensuring that the voices and interests of children are considered in today’s decisions affecting the future.
- Empower young people by creating platforms for leadership, self-expression, and participation in regional and global initiatives.
- Encourage collaboration among schools, communities, and international partners to support child-centered learning and rights-based approaches.
- Foster a regional dialogue on issues impacting children in Central Asia, including conflict, environment, education, and protection.
- Support innovative tools such as podcasts, workshops, and media contests to engage youth and amplify their perspectives.
Target Audience
The Children’s Rights Initiative is designed to engage and empower a diverse audience across multiple age groups and educational backgrounds:
University students, particularly those enrolled in the MAHRS Programme at the OSCE Academy, play an active role in supporting the initiative. They contribute to organizing workshops, providing mentorship, and facilitating events focused on children’s rights.
Schoolchildren, primarily members of the Child Leadership Team (CLT), are at the core of the programme. These young leaders participate in trainings, public events, and awareness-raising activities, acting as ambassadors of children’s rights in their communities.
Teachers and educators support the initiative by fostering child-friendly learning environments and integrating rights-based approaches in their teaching practices.
This collaborative model creates space for intergenerational exchange and ensures that the promotion of children’s rights is rooted in active youth participation and community support.
- Summer School at Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, on Women, Girls, and Children Rights in Central Asia.
- “Ray of Light” Video Podcast Series were filmed starting from November 2024.
- “My Rights” Reels Contest was held in December 2024 aiming at raising awareness of children on human rights and choosing best video of children created on the mentioned theme.
- Workshops on Children’s Rights for the members Child Lead Team were organized to educate children on Children’s Rights.
- Book Clubs, aimed at rising children’s’ interests in reading in general as well as enhancing their knowledge on children’s rights. First Book Club has been organized recently and some more are coming soon.
- Joint Caucasus Project: Climate and Frozen Conflicts – Redress and Prevention for Intergenerational Justice has started from October 2024 and is in the process of implementation.