EUROPEAN STUDENT FORUM - Save the Children Italia Onlus

F O RUMEUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMon the MillenniumDevelopment GoalsCON ILCONTRIBUTODELLA COMMISSIONEEUROPEA

Save the Children dal 1919 lotta per i diritti dei bambinie per migliorare le loro condizioni di vita in tutto il mondoEuropean Student Forumon the Millennium Development GoalsProject idea by Ines BiemmiEdited byChiara Paganuzzi and Isabella TentiTexts byCarlotta Bellomi, Chiara Paganuzziand Isabella TentiAcknowledgementsWe would like to thank the boys and the girls whoparticipated in the Forum, the Italian, Spanish andLatvian institutions for their support during the allactivity, the project partners such as Save theChildren Spain and the Latvian Adult EducationAssociation and all the persons that have directlyand indirectly made the Forum possible, inparticular: Ines Biemmi, Francesca Bilotta, ElisabettaLeonardi, Elena Scanu Ballona, Nicola Scognamiglioand the trainers of Save the Children Italy.Design and layoutAC & P | Aurelio Candido & Partners - RomePhotosForum General AssemblyCity Council of Milan, 7 May 2010Published bySave the Children ItaliaVia Volturno 5800185 RomeItalyFirst Edition 2010© Save the Children Italia OnlusPrinted byEdithink Srl - Roma

F O RUMEUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMon the MillenniumDevelopment GoalsA cura diChiara Paganuzzi e Isabella Tenti

Introduction 7The voice of the institution representatives 8Child conditions in the perspective of achievingthe Millennium Development Goals 10European Student Forum on the MillenniumDevelopment Goals 12Classes, subjects, paths, motions 15IndiceII edition – Academic year 2009-2010 15I edition – Academic year 2007 -2008 22The students’ voice 28Child friendly version of the CRC 305

F O RUM EUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMIntroductionIThe European Student Forum on the MillenniumDevelopment Goals was the concluding event of thethree-year project “Development Education and theMillennium Development Goals: knowledge, methodologiesand ICTs” (2007-2010). This project was co-funded by theEuropean Commission and aimed at promoting educationalactivities on Children Rights, on the Millennium DevelopmentGoals and on a critical and aware use of new technologies.Its main objective was, particularly, to foster the involvement ofEuropean students (Italian, Latvian and Spanish) in researchand study activities based on democratic participation models.Today’s schools cannot survive without the active participationand proposals of all those who are part of them, particularlythe students. For Save the Children it is essential that children,like all other human beings, have the chance to make theirvoice heard and are taken into consideration when it comesto issues that influence their life or that of their peers.Involving girls and boys in educational and awareness activitieson the Millennium Development Goals means contributing toa real understanding of the causes that condemn threequarters of our planet to poverty and hunger. It means layingthe groundwork for a possiblechange that can lead to overcomingeconomic and social inequalitybetween populations.I would like to thank the girls andboys, who have been the protagonists of this participatoryexperience, the workers and educators of Save the ChildrenItaly, Save the Children Spain and the Latvian Adult EducationAssociation (LAEA), who have contributed to the success ofthis event, and the representatives of the institutions, who havesupported and fostered dialogue with our students, the realdriving force of the change we hope for.Valerio NeriGeneral DirectorSave the Children Italy

F O RUM EUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMThe voiceof the institutionrepresentativesITALYThe “European Student Forum on the MillenniumDevelopment Goals” project has given the opportunityto hundreds of students from our Province, from Spainand Latvia to analyse issues related to children rights inthe light of the Millennium Development Goals and tolearn and understand what has been done so far locally,nationally and internationally. Such an analysis aimed atidentifying which battles still have to be fought to fullyachieve the rights sanctioned by the Convention on theRights of the Child and the Millennium DevelopmentGoals.The project came to an end with a big Assembly at theMilan City Council Hall, on 7th May 2010. The rightsthese girls and boys talked about are, first and foremost,their rights: for this reason it was right to listen to them,giving them our attention and consideration. We areaware that knowing and pursuing one’s rights is the firststep to developing, particularly in young people, anawareness of everybody’s rights. We are certain that ifthese rights were applied in practice, apart from beingconsidered as principles, they would help us to live in amuch fairer world.The message these students are sending us is, after all,quite simple: life would be better in a fair world basedon respect. So, to achieve respect for these principles,we have to take all the necessary actions to unravel theschemes of abuse and violence that constitute thejungle of neglected rights. Members of governmentelective assemblies have to do this through legislation;those presiding over local administrations can do it bydeveloping real practices that encourage and stimulatepromotion of everyone’s rights; people in society canand should do this through coherent and responsiblebehaviour.I would like to thank Save the Children that was animportant partner in promoting and supporting thisproject and that wanted to realize this usefulpublication. But a special thanks goes to the girls andboys who were the protagonists of this challenge, whichI hope will also be an incentive for new challenges andnew projects in the future.Marina Lazzati,Councillor for EducationMilan Provincial Council8

F O RUM EUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMChild conditionsin the perspectiveof achievingthe MillenniumDevelopmentGoalsFor Save the Children it is fundamental that theassertion of children rights go hand in hand with asubstantial change in the current development modeland in the relationships between the North and theSouth of the world. To exert a real change there has tobe economic investment in education, in health and inguaranteeing the application of human rights,particularly child rights. Therefore, respecting such anapproach, Save the Children, through the activityinitiated by the Forum on the Millennium DevelopmentGoals (MDGs), wants to guarantee the right of childrento express their own opinions and to be taken intoserious consideration by the authorities in matters thatregard them directly.The approach to rights adopted by Save the Childrenacknowledges children as active subjects of their owndevelopment, rather that passive receivers of goods andservices. Therefore, participation in the developmentprocess should be considered as both the end and themeans of development programmes. The MillenniumDevelopment Goals can be used as a starting pointwhereby students promote awareness raising andeducation actions at school among their peers, to drawthem closer to development issues.There is a strong interrelation between child rights andthe Millennium Development Goals. The firstparallelism lies in the fact that both the MillenniumDeclaration - from which the Millennium DevelopmentGoals are derived - and the UN Convention on theRights of the Child are based on interconnectedprinciples. The fundamental principles behind the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) are nondiscrimination,best interests, life and development andparticipation, while those behind the MillenniumDeclaration are freedom, equality, solidarity, sharedresponsibility, tolerance and respect for theenvironment. Another connection can be found in theprecise references that there are between eachMillennium Development Goal and some articles of theUN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Particularly,in relation to each single Millennium DevelopmentGoal, we can note the following:GOAL 1Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerArticle 6 of the CRC stipulates that every child has theright to an adequate standard of living with adequatefood, clothing, shelter, social services, etc. and thatevery State is obliged to ensure that children surviveand develop healthily.It is, therefore, necessary to adopt a social developmentapproach that favours those living below the povertyline and focused on children, invest in basic services,establish social protection mechanisms for the poorestand, finally, promote food security to avoidnourishment crisis.GOAL 2Achieve universal primary educationArticle 28 of the CRC sanctions the right of every childto education. Education is a fundamental right whichpromotes social development and is the most effectiveway to defeat poverty. For this reason it is important toguarantee adequate funds for education, increase accessto good quality education, include education inhumanitarian interventions in cases of humanitarianemergencies. Moreover, pressure has to be made toremove the conditions imposed on Countries byinternational financial institutions, because these have anegative impact on the quality of education.GOAL 3Promote gender equality and empowerwomenArticle 2 of the CRC affirms the principle of nondiscrimination,while article 28 sanctions the right toeducation. The reasons why girls have more difficultiesin attending school are mainly two: poverty anddiscrimination. It is necessary to foster gender equalityat school and support a flexible form of schooling forthe girls, so that gender inequality in all schools in the10

F O RUM EUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMEuropean StudentForum onthe MillenniumDevelopmentGoalsChildren’s participation is one of the founding valuesof Save the Children’s work and mission. Theorganization is engaged, in Italy and the world, inmaking sure that children can have their rights fullyrespected through participation programmes.In order to facilitate balanced development, welfareand learning, it is essential for Save the Children togive young people the opportunity to participate indecision-making, allow them to express their ownideas and points of view and seriously take intoconsideration what they say, depending on their ageand maturity.The European Student Forum on the MillenniumDevelopment Goals involved secondary school studentsfrom three European countries, Italy, Latvia and Spain inan activity aimed at deepening the knowledge of the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child and theMillennium Development Goals. Save the Children Italy,in partnership with Save the Children Spain and theLatvian Adult Education Association (LAEA), realized aprogramme that favoured the exercise of activecitizenship by students from the three countriesinvolved.“The UN Convention on the Rightsof the Child (CRC) and the rightto participation”Children’s participation is a fundamentalhuman right. On 20 November 1989, theUnited Nations General Assemblyunanimously approved the Convention onthe Rights of the Child (CRC).The four core principles underlying the CRCand forming an integral part of the 54 articlesof the Convention, are:Article 2: Non discriminationArticle 3: Best interestsArticle 6: Life, survival and developmentArticle 12: ParticipationThe UN Convention on the Rights of theChild attributes great importance to theparticipation of children and declares theprinciple in a number of articles (12, 13, 14,15).Article 121. States Parties shall assure to the child who iscapable of forming his or her own views theright to express those views freely in allmatters affecting the child, the views of thechild being given due weight in accordancewith the age and maturity of the child.2. For this purpose, the child shall in particularbe provided the opportunity to be heard inany judicial and administrative proceedingsaffecting the child, either directly, or through arepresentative or an appropriate body, in amanner consistent with the procedural rulesof national law.Article 131. The child shall have the right to freedomof expression. this right shall includefreedom to seek, receive and impartinformation and ideas of all kinds,regardless of frontiers, either orally, inwriting or in print, in the form of art, orthrough any other media of the child’schoice.2. The exercise of this right may be subject tocertain restrictions, but these shall only besuch as are provided by law and arenecessary: (a) For respect of the rights orreputations of others; or (b) For theprotection of national security or of publicorder (ordre public), or of public health ormorals.Article 141. States Parties shall respect the right of thechild to freedom of thought, conscience andreligion.2. States Parties shall respect the rights andduties of the parents and, when applicable,legal guardians, to provide direction to thechild in the exercise of his or her right in amanner consistent with the evolvingcapacities of the child.3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefsmay be subject only to such limitations asare prescribed by law and are necessary toprotect public safety, order, health or morals,or the fundamental rights and freedoms ofothers.Article 151. States Parties recognize the rights of thechild to freedom of association and tofreedom of peaceful assembly.2. No restrictions may be placed on theexercise of these rights other than thoseimposed inconformity with the law and12

F O RUM EUROPEANSTUDENT FORUMwhich are necessary in a democratic societyin the interests of national security or publicsafety, public order (ordre public), theprotection of public health or morals or theprotection of the rights and freedoms ofothers.In the Convention on the Rights of the Childparticipation is realized also through theexercise of the following rights:Article 161. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary orunlawful interference with his or her privacy,family, home or correspondence, nor tounlawful attacks on his or her honour orreputation.2. The child has the right to the protection ofthe law against such interference or attacks.Article 17States Parties recognize the importantfunction performed by the mass media andshall ensure that the child has access toinformation and material from a diversity ofnational and international sources, especiallythose aimed at the promotion of his or hersocial, spiritual and moral well-being andphysical and mental health. To this end, StatesParties shall:a)Encourage the mass media to disseminateinformation and material of social andcultural benefit to the child and inaccordance with the spirit of article 29;b)Encourage international co-operation in theproduction, exchange and dissemination ofsuch information and material from adiversity of cultural, national andinternational sources;c)Encourage the production anddissemination of children’s books;d)Encourage the mass media to haveparticular regard to the linguistic needs ofthe child who belongs to a minority groupor who is indigenous;e)Encourage the development of appropriateguidelines for the protection of the childfrom information and material injurious tohis or her well-being, bearing in mind theprovisions of articles 13 and 18.Article 311. States Parties recognize the right of thechild to rest and leisure, to engage in playand recreational activities appropriate to theage of the child and to participate freely incultural life and the arts.1. States Parties shall respect and promote theright of the child to participate fully incultural and artistic life and shall encouragethe provision of appropriate and equalopportunities for cultural, artistic,recreational and leisure activity.At school, together with their teachers and theeducators from the three partner organizations, thestudents tackled a significant problem inherent in therights of the child and the Millennium DevelopmentGoals. They gathered information, analysed these issuesin order to identify and propose ideas and solutions topresent and share with the duty bearers 2 on the finalday of the project. The European Forum ended with aGeneral Assembly, that is, an event where studentspresented the proposals, elaborated during theprogramme, to the political representatives and moregenerally to the duty bearers they had identified duringthe class activities. All the students took part in theprogramme that led to the General Assembly. It was nota Forum of representatives, but rather an event thatencouraged the active participation of each and everystudent.The European Student Forum on the MillenniumDevelopment Goals was held in two editions: the firstone during the scholastic year 2007-2008, the secondduring the scholastic year 2009-2010.In each edition the Forum programme included:1. A meeting for initial planning, during after-schoolhours, with the teachers, the student representativesof the participating classes and the staff of Save theChildren Italy, Save the Children Spain and theLatvian Adult Education Association. This firstmeeting served to contact the teachers and thestudents, explain the Forum programme to them andinvolve them in the organization of the activity rightfrom the beginning.2. Four 2-hour meetings in every class with theeducators from the partner organizations (Save theChildren Italy, Save the Children Spain, Adult LatvianEducation Association). These meetings were dividedinto two phases: the first two aimed at setting thegeneral themes related to the UN Convention on theRights of the Child and the Millennium DevelopmentGoals. During the other two meetings they enteredinto the merits of a problem or of a particular aspectchosen by the class. The educational project wasincluded in the class teaching programme by theteachers who were guiding the students in theirresearch and analysis of the problem, chosen by theparticipating classes.3. A meeting for a halfway assessment, during afterschoolhours, with the referring teachers, the classrepresentatives and the educators from the involvedorganizations. This meeting aimed at gauging theapproval of the activity and at making students andteachers more aware of the organization of the finalday and more responsible for it.2Those responsiblefor implementing orviolating a right.13

F O RUM EUROPEANSTUDENT FORUM4. Three 2-hour meetings with the educators. In thisseries of meetings each class was prepared for thefinal day of the Forum. During these meetings thestudents drew up some requests which were thenread out in the form of motions andrecommendations at the General Assembly. They alsoprepared some s which illustrated the work done andshared with the students from the other classes andwith the duty bearers during the General Assembly.5. A final day for the Forum General Assembly. On thefinal day of the Forum, all the classes met in a GeneralAssembly where the students presented their work, thes and the motions, to the relevant duty bearers (localadministrators, schools, NGOs, mass media, etc.). Theprotagonists on this day were solely the students. TheAssembly was supported by staff from the partnerorganizations, who had to make sure that the meetingproceeded according to the rules establishedbeforehand and approved by the students. Theparticipating classes discussed, shared and approvedproposals to solve or alleviate the tackled problem.Adults and institutions, to whom the requests by theclasses were addressed, were present at the Assembly,but they could only take the floor to answer thestudents and to express their view regarding themotions addressed to them. The adults should takeinto account the approved documents in the future.6. A meeting for a final assessment, during after-schoolhours, with the school teachers, the classrepresentatives and Save the Children Italia, Save theChildren Spain and the Latvian Adult EducationAssociation. This appointment, organized to discussthe students’ and the teachers’ assessments on theactivity, is an important goal, because thepresentation of the motions requires a response fromthe duty bearers and a future possibility of concretelyfulfilling the requests. In this ensuing phase it isimportant to keep in contact so that the forum is nottransformed into a mere performance by thestudents, but in a demand for democracy and rightsfor which the students expect concrete results.The whole Forum programme serves to create apositive relationship between adolescents and adults.The more young people’s participation, awareness andself-protection increase, the more adults have to feelresponsible for promoting children rights. On the otherhand, more participation by young people will helpadults in their responsibility to defend their rights.Claiming one’s rights and participating in theforeground helps young people grow up and leadsthem more easily to becoming active members insociety and to taking up their social roles responsibly.FORUM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME7 TWO-HOUR TRAINING SESSIONS IN EACH CLASS + 1 FIVE HOUR GENERAL ASSEMBLYCONTENTS AND ELABORATIONPREPARATION OF MOTIONS AND MESSAGES12 3 4 5 6 7 FORUMPLANNING(FORMATORI, DOCENTI, RAPPRESENTANTI DEGLI STUDENTI)HALFWAYASSESSMENTGENERALASSEMBLYFINALASSESSMENTMONITORAGGIO14

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010Classes, subjects,33paths, motionsItalYCLASSE II GITSOS ALBE STEINER SCHOOLConsidering the strong interconnection thatcharacterizes the eight Millennium Development Goals,the students of Class IIG of ITSOS Albe Steiner Schoolchose to further their study of the Forum topicsthrough an integrated and broad perspective.A participatory approach was adopted for the indepthstudy of the Convention on the Rights of theChild (UNCRC) and the Millennium DevelopmentGoals. The proposal, chosen and shared by the wholeclass as early as the second meeting, encouraged thestudents to reflect on the close and remoteconsequences of the analysed policies and to identifythe main themes they wanted to transmit to theirpeers.In clear and direct language, the motion aims at makingyoung people aware of the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child and of the Millennium Development Goals.For this purpose the girls and boys composed a rapsong. The aim was to use the song as an effectivecommunicative tool to attract adolescents to thecontents of the European Forum.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS IIG OF ITSOS ALBESTEINER SCHOOL OF MILANafter an in-depth study of the eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals andCONSIDERING• the right to education (art. 28);• the right to life, survival and development (art. 6);• the right to be protected against all forms ofdiscrimination (art. 2);• the right to health care (art. 24);• the right to have the rights in the Conventionimplemented by public institutions (art. 4);RECOMMENDto promote awareness of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals and of the rights in the CRC among girls and boysthrough the use of simple and clear language capable ofeffectively reaching young people. For this purpose thestudents of the class are writing a rap song andASK1. Save the Children to organize information activitiesin schools on children’s and adolescents’ rights andon the Millennium Development Goals;2. the Headmaster of “Albe Steiner” School to organizetwo meetings (one for first and second year studentsand one for the third, fourth and fifth year students)where Class II G can present their work and the rapsong;3. the Provincial School Authority of Milan to act as amouthpiece of the Millennium Development Goalsamong the secondary school students of Milan bysending a circular, and to publicize the rap song;4. Radio 105 and Radio Popolare to broadcast the songabout the Millenium Development Goals;5. The Coordination of the Student Movements topresent the work done and the rap song in ameeting;6. all the above-mentioned to promote the song on theMillennium Development Goals through theirwebsites and other innovative and effective channels.Milan, May 7 th 2010CLASS II ASADELAIDE CAIROLI SCHOOLfF oO rum RUMeuropeanstudent forumthe importance of dealing with all the eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals as a whole, being so strictlyinterconnected to one another,AWAREof the fact that the Millennium Development Goals, theissues related to them and the commitment undertakenby the national governments are not well known amonggirls and boys,would like to focus on some children rights stated inthe CRC, approved by the UN on 20 November 1989and ratified in Italy in 1991, that are related to theMillennium Development Goals:The students of Class II AS of “Adelaide Cairoli” Schoolchose to make young people and adults of the schoolsin Pavia aware of exploitation of minors in the south ofthe world and in Italy. The proposal, chosen and sharedby the whole class during the fourth meeting, was theresult of an in-depth study and discussion of theConvention on the Rights of the Child and theMillennium Development Goals.In this specific case, the “procedural aims” - in-deptstudy, sharing, discussion - and the “practical aims” -preparing a motion and creating a communicativeproduct - on one hand enhanced fruitful participation ofthe class, and on the other gave rise to an in-dept studyof the consequences and implications of the policiesanalysed within the adolescents’ everyday life.3I prodottisviluppati daglistudenti sonovisibili in un DVDrealizzato durante leattività del Forum.Può essere richiestoscrivendo a:eas@savethechildren.it.15

Ff Oo RUM rum EUROPEAN europeanSTUDENT student FORUM forumITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/20103I prodottisviluppati daglistudenti sonovisibili in un DVDrealizzato durante leattività del Forum.Può essere richiestoscrivendo a:eas@savethechildren.it.The presented motion summarizes and concretizes thechosen proposal: in fact the students wanted, as muchas possible, to spread all they had learnt and contributeto the fight against exploitation of minors, startingwithin the school. For this reason they wanted topromote the purchase of school equipment and of foodproducts through “fair trade” channels.The theatre play they put up and performed during theEuropean Forum was an effective communicativemedium which induces reflection and taking a stand onexploitation of minors in the world through a creativeand participatory approach.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS III AS OF ADELAIDECAIROLI SCHOOL OF PAVIAAWAREof the fact that many minors in the world are victims ofexploitation, and that multinational companiescontribute to such exploitation, have decided tointervene by helping to combat this situation andINTENDto point out some articles of the Convention on theRights of the Child approved by the UN on 20November 1989 and ratified in Italy in May 1991• the right to education even in a state of emergency(Art. 28, 29);• the right to grow up in a family environment, in anatmosphere of happiness, love and understanding(preamble, Art. 7, 9);• the right to be protected against all forms ofdiscrimination (Art. 2);• the right to be protected from all forms of violenceand exploitation (Art. 32, 34, 38);• the right to fully participate in society and to freedomof expression (Artt.12, 13, 14, 15, 17).AND CONSIDERINGMillenium Development Goal No. 8, which establishesthe duty of the international community to develop aGlobal Partnership for Development by 2015,RECOMMENDwider application of the principles of the UNConvention on the Rights of the ChildASKthe Headmaster of the “A.Cairoli” school and theRegional School Authority to commit themselves:1. to participate in the initiative of buying schoolequipment for physical education (balls, T-shirts...)and food products for the school shop and vendingmachines from “fair trade” companies, which cancertify that there was no child exploitation in theproduction process of the products;2. to increase the purchase of products that areproduced without child exploitation;3. to protect children rights by granting them their rightto education and to play;4. to support the class project.Milan, May 7 th 2010CLASS I MDFERRARIS PACINOTTI SCHOOLAfter learning the European Forum’s “proceduralaims” - in-dept study, sharing and discussion - and“practical aims” - a motion and the creation of acommunicative product - the students of Class I MDof “Ferraris Pacinotti” School chose to undertake “thefight against AIDS, malaria and other diseases”. Theirdecision to work on the sixth MillenniumDevelopment Goal was the result of an in-depth studyof the main themes of the European Forum and oftheir own motivation to promote a theme thatinterests adolescents.The motion aims at spreading what was learnt througha clear language which is able to effectively reach ayoung target audience. For this reason social networksand free newspapers were chosen as effectivecommunicative tools to achieve their aim.The resulting product, made up of a number ofinterviews, which were listened to during the Forum,was an effective medium to inform and makeadolescents aware of topics related to HIV/AIDS andunwanted pregnancies.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS I MD OF FERRARISPACINOTTI SCHOOL OF MILANafter an in-depth study of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals, particularly of Goal number sixCONSIDERINGthat HIV/AIDS is a very widespread disease especiallyamong young people all over the worldAWARE• that the only way to fight HIV/AIDS is prevention byusing condoms;• that in many cases young people do not usecondoms because of:a) lack of information about prevention;b) lack of financial resources;c) shame and embarrassment.would like to focus on some children rights stated inthe CRC, approved by the UN on 20 November 1989and ratified in Italy in 1991, that are related to the16

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANstudent STUDENT FORUM forumMillennium Development Goals:• the right to life, survival and development (art. 6);• the right to health care (art. 24);• the right to education (art. 28);• the right to have the rights in the Conventionimplemented by public institutions (art. 4);RECOMMENDthe promotion of information about HIV/AIDSprevention among girls and boys through the use ofsimple and clear language, capable of effectivelyreaching young people. For this purpose theyASK1. Save the Children to create a group on Facebook onthis issue and to support the students of this class inupdating it by allowing them to use the Internetconnection at the Milan offices. The social networkfor young people in the Lombardy Region, YouTube,television and art (e.g. music or graffiti) will be othereffective tools for the promotion of awareness amongall citizens;2. the Headmaster of “Ferraris Pacinotti” School inMilan to organize an information day for all thestudents of the school, managed by a young expert;3. the editorial offices of “City” and “Metro”newspapers to publish an article about theprevention of HIV/AIDS among young people on thefront page.CLASS I LDVIRGILIO SCHOOLMilan, May 7 th 2010The in-dept study of the UN Convention on the Rightsof the Child as a pedagogical-educational tool and therealization of the Forum as a “good practice” to exerciseone’s rights encouraged the girls and boys to take aninterest in global issues as well as their consequenceson contexts that are close to them.Their interest in the local reality led the students ofClass I LD of “Virgilio” School in Milan to develop anawareness and prevention campaign on sexuallytransmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies for theyoung people of their city. The students, who chose thisproposal by voting, therefore dealt with the third andsixth Millennium Development Goals.The elaborated motion intends to promote equality ofthe sexes and fight sexually transmitted diseasesthrough educational programmes among peers andsocial health initiatives organized specifically foradolescents. The finished product provides goodinformation material to make young people aware ofissues related to HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies andviolence against women.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS I LD OF VIRGILIOSCHOOL OF MILANAWAREof the importance of promoting prevention of HIV/AIDSand unwanted pregnanciesINTENDto point out some articles of the Convention on theRights of the Child approved by the UN on 20November 1989 and ratified in Italy in May 1991• the right to be protected against all forms ofdiscrimination (Art. 2);• the right to be protected from all forms of violenceand exploitation (Art. 32, 34, 38);AND CONSIDERINGthe sixth Millennium Development Goal, which aims atfighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other sexuallytransmitted diseasesRECOMMENDwider application of the principles of the UNConvention on the Rights of the ChildASKthe Milan Local Health Authorities (Azienda SanitariaLocale) and the “Virgilio” secondary school in Milanto commit themselves1. to contribute to the realization of our project and tothe distribution of condoms among students byinstalling some condom vending machines inside theabove-mentioned school;2. to increase awareness about these issues throughsocial health education within the school;3. to keep on protecting women and children fromsexually transmitted diseases;4. to support our project.Milan, May 7 th 201017

fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANspaInCLASS III ESOIES ATENEA SCHOOLThe European Forum programme started with a fewintroductory lessons aiming at offering students theessential bearings to be able to participate in the projectwith awareness. After having made an in-depth study ofthe Millennium Development Goals, the studentsfocused on some of them (goals number 2, 4, 5, 6),articulating a motion and creating an : both arise from areflection on the local context which then opens up to aglobal and integrated perspective.MOTIONSTUDENT student FORUM forumTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS III ESO of IES. ATENEASCHOOL IN FUENLABRADA OF MADRIDRECOMMENDthe promotion of the Millennium Development Goals,particularly:• goal number two: achieve universal primaryeducation;• goal number four: reduce child mortality;• goal number five: improve maternal health;• goal number six: combat l’HIV/AIDS, malaria andother diseases.ASK1. to continue, notwithstanding the economic crisis, tohelp Third World countries;2. to monitor the flow of aids so that donations get tothe places where they are needed;3. to guarantee access to drinking water and to basicfood;4. to check whether parents educate their children thusfostering gender equality;5. to support women who suffer discrimination and illtreatment;6. to make the population aware of HIV/AIDS, malariaand other sexually transmitted diseases; to inducepharmaceutical industries to lower medicine pricesso that Third World countries would be able topurchase them;7. to monitor child abuse;8. to guarantee health care to pregnant women;9. to provide health care when and where necessary.CLASS IV ESOIES. GINER DE LOS RÍOSA participatory and inclusive approach characterizedthis human rights education programme, which focusedparticularly on the issues related to the principle ofparticipation and on the Millennium DevelopmentGoals. At the beginning, the students referred to variousinformation sources which allowed them to develop awider outlook and to study the activities implementedby the civil society to promote the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. Considering the stronginterconnection of the goals, class IV ESO of the “IES.GINES DE LOS RIOS” School decided to develop theissues of the Forum through an integrated perspective.This choice is evident both in the motion and theaudiovisual product, created with the aim of becomingan effective communication tool which would drawadolescents closer to the contents of the EuropeanForum.MOTIONITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010THE STUDENTS OF CLASS IV ESO OF IES. GINER DELOS RÍOS SCHOOL OF ALCOBENDASASKthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry ofEqual Opportunities1. to promote the fight against poverty and hunger; toencourage debt cancellation and access to drinkingwater;2. to increase the number of schools and thepercentage of students;3. to invest in research and in scientific and healthinnovation; to make the population aware of sexuallytransmitted diseases;4. to foster international agreements which facilitatepartnerships for the development of Third WorldCountries; to found new Non-GovernmentalOrganizations which undertake to promote thecommon good;5. to support gender equality and empowerment ofwomen.Madrid, May 7 th 2010Madrid, May 7 th 201018

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANstudent STUDENT FORUM forumCLASS III ESOIES. LAZARO CARRETERAfter an initial phase of education centred on theMillennium Development Goals, the students developedwhat they had learned by consulting documents, books,data and publications available on internet sites of localNon-Governmental Organizations and InternationalAgencies. After this work, class III ESO of the “IES.LAZARO CARRETER” School in Rivas Vaciamadriddecided to present a motion and an end product whichgive a broad perspective on all eight goals.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS III ESO IES. LAZAROCARRETER SCHOOL OF RIVAS VACIAMADRIDRECOMMENDthe promotion of the Millennium Development Goals,particularly:• goal number one: eradicate extreme poverty andhunger;• goal number four: reduce child mortality;• goal number six: combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and otherdiseases;• goal number seven: ensure environmentalsustainability.ASKthe Prime Minister1. to guarantee drinking water in countries that do nothave it;2. to increase the number of voluntary doctors in orderto improve children’s health;3. to ensure primary education to all children;4. to promote awareness campaigns for the use ofcondoms in Africa;5. to protect HIV/AIDS orphans by building appropriatechild care and education facilities;6. to guarantee access to vaccines and necessarymedicines for every child, even by reducing medicineprices, thus rendering them more accessible;7. to cancel Third World debt or at least the interests, sothat Third World Countries can reach an adequatelevel of development;8. to consider women’s condition in different countriesof the world and to foster equality of rights betweenmen and women;9. to promote the use of renewable energy to ward offthe destruction of the environment.CLASS IV ESOIES. LOPE DE VEGAThrough a participatory and inclusive approach, thestudents learned about the Millennium DevelopmentGoals and the UN Convention on the Rights of theChild. The in-depth study of the issues cherished by theEuropean forum, then led the students to focus on goalnumber two, which aims at achieving universal primaryeducation by 2015. The motion clearly centres roundthis issue, but the end product offers an effectiveoverview of the current world situation and the resultsto aim for.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS IV ESO OF IES. LOPE DEVEGA SCHOOL OF MADRIDAWAREof the fact that a lot children do not have the possibilityof going to schoolWOULD LIKEto recall the children rights declared in the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child and theMillennium Development Goals, particularly,• goal number two: achieve universal primaryeducationASK1. to contribute economically to improve the quality ofthe educational systems in Third World Countries;2. to protect children from poverty and child abuse;3. to promote the education of every boy and girl, frombirth to the age of eighteen.Madrid, May 7 th 2010Madrid, May 7 th 201019

fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANSTUDENT student FORUM forumlatVIaCLASS XIVALMIERA PARGAUJAGUMNASIUM OF VALMIERAThe in-dept study of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals was carried out primarily in two phases. Initiallythe topics were dealt with from a theoretical point ofview under the guidance of some educators; afterwardsthe students worked together to contextualize and putinto action what they had learned during the plenarysessions.After choosing five goals - eradicate extreme povertyand hunger, achieve universal primary education,improve maternal health, ensure environmentalsustainability, create a global partnership fordevelopment - the students investigated the problemsand potential within their own territory throughmeetings with important institutions and voluntarywork.CLASS XICĒSIS STATE GRAMMARSCHOOLIn order to make an in-dept study of children rights andof the Millennium Development Goals, the studentswere asked to participate in two plenary meetings.During these meetings they learnt about the issuescherished by the European Forum and a productiveinteraction among all the students taking part in theproject was created.Afterwards, the Cē sis State Grammar School studentscarried out field research in the neighbourhood wherethe school is situated. By collecting information fromdifferent sources and visiting some key institutions -among which the hospital of Cēsis - they managed todefine the main aim of their work: contribute to theachievement of the Millennium Development Goal no.1 by collecting funds for the local “Paedusai Latvijia!”(“No more hunger in Lettonia!”) campaign.MOTIONITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010THE STUDENTS OF CLASS XI OF THE CĒSIS STATEGRAMMAR SCHOOL OF CĒSISafter having read and examined the material on therights of the child and the Millennium DevelopmentGoals offered to them by the Latvian Adult EducationAssociation (LAEA)ASK1. The Headmasters and authorities in Cēsis toorganize two educational meetings to make studentsaware of the importance of secondary education;2. The regional newspaper “Druva” to publish theactivities organized by the Red Cross, to informcitizens about the health conditions of the children ofthe district, to make readers aware of the importanceof education;3. The town council of Cēsis to keep the environmentclean and taken care of by means of the students’participation and commitment;4. The organizers of the “Paedusai Latvijia!” (No morehunger in Lettonia”) to involve young people in thecollection of funds needed to realize the project.Riga, May 7 th 201020

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2009/2010fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANstudent STUDENT FORUM forumCLASS XIGULBENE SECONDARYSCHOOLDuring the first two meetings the students had theopportunity to learn about the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. Thanks to the help of two experts,they chose issues like environmental sustainability,universal education, maternal and child health andpoverty. From a global perspective they then turned to alocal outlook. Fortified by the knowledge they hadacquired, the students explored their own territory andsuggested some solutions to solve the most importantproblems.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS XI OF GULBENESECONDARY SCHOOL OF GULBENEafter having made an in-dept study of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals, identified two main issues onwhich to focus: health care and poverty.RECOMMEND1. to improve girls’ social health education, focusingespecially on the issue of unwanted pregnancies;2. to enhance maternal health before and afterpregnancy;3. to enhance women’s psychological well being;4. to separate waste;5. to help whoever is in need;6. to provide health care for every citizen and everyfamily.Riga, May 7 th 2010CLASS XIMADONA SECONDARYSCHOOLThe European Forum programme started with twoplenary sessions in which all the students participatingin the project could learn about the issues related to theMillennium Development Goals. All they learnt wasthen elaborated upon by means of a territorial study. Ingroups, the students interviewed some key figures fromsocial services, the Red Cross, the education and labourdepartments. Through these meetings the problemsand potentialities related to health, education and workemerged. Thanks to the reconstruction of this scenariothe following motion could be elaborated.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS XI OF THE MADONASECONDARY SCHOOL OF MADONAthe regional authoritiesASK1. to take care of the surrounding environment byproviding litter bins for the separation of waste in thecity;2. to sensitize children so that they learn how toprevent common illnesses;3. to help the lower class by means of adequateeconomic and material support;4. to guarantee a high quality level of the servicesoffered at the hospital of Madona;5. to offer additional subsidies to pregnant women;6. to make sure that every child goes to primary school;7. to organize information days within our school;8. to support our project.Riga, May 7 th 201021

fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANItalYCLASS III FITC PACLE ELSA MORANTESCHOOLAfter dealing with the Millennium Development Goalsand the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child inthe first two meetings, the students of Class III F of“Elsa Morante” School chose to analyse further thesecond and third goals, focusing on girls’ right toprimary education and gender equality.The students decided to interview some associationsand Non-Governmental Organizations which work inthird-world countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Brazil)to find out whether there were any auxiliary projects forthe achievement of the Millennium Goals in theirterritory . They also met the Mayor of Limbiate to findout how a local authority could contribute to thepromotion of global goals.The motion aims at making the students of their schooland of other secondary schools in the Milan Provinceaware of the Millennium Development Goals.The end product - a theatre performance performed onthe last day of the Forum - was put and advertised onthe school website, which is a favourite information andawareness tool among adolescents in the Province ofMilan.MOTIONSTUDENT student FORUM forumTHE STUDENTS OF ITC PACLE E. MORANTESCHOOL OF LIMBIATEhaving read and discussed the articles of the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child and theMillennium Development GoalsAWAREof the fact that millions of girls in the world sufferdiscrimination and do not even receive primaryeducationWOULD LIKEto focus on some human rights sanctioned by the CRC,approved by the UN General Assembly on 20 November1989 and ratified by Italy in 1991, and contained inarticles 2, 28, 29, as well as on the second and thirdMillennium Development GoalsHAVING METthe representatives of associations and Non-Government Organizations present on our territorywhich follow projects in favour of children in thirdworld countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Brazil)ASK• the Headmaster, Professor Gennaro Griguoli, topublish the presentation they prepared on the schoolwebsite in order to promulgate the importance of theMillennium Development Goals and to promote thesponsorship of a child by the school;• the mayor of Limbiate, Antonio Romeo, to organize a“voluntary service day” together with the associationsin the territory and to publicize the ongoing projectsin favour of childhood;• the President of the Milan District Council, FilippoPenati, to publicize the results of their research inother secondary schools in the Province of Milan;• the Member of the European Parliament, PatriziaToiaa) to make sure that the commitments taken by theEuropean Union to achieve the Millennium Goalsare kept;b)to publicize the results of the European Union’saction in supporting the achievement of theMillennium Goals by organizing some publicmeetings for secondary school students,particularly that related to the access to primaryeducation by all children, male and female, both inEurope and in developing countries.CLASS II GALBE STEINER SCHOOLMilan, May 9 th 2008After studying the UN Convention on the Rights of theChild and the Millennium Development Goals, thestudents of Class IIG of “Albe Steiner” School chose toexamine each goal in relation to the differencesbetween the North and South of the world by analysingthe historical causes (slave trade, colonialism andimperialism) and the present causes (third world debtand unequal exchange).The motion aims at making students in Milan andsurrounding areas aware of the issues related tochildren’s and adolescents’ rights and of the importanceof achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals.Convinced of the fact that audio-visual language is themost direct and closest to their peers, the studentsdecided to create a video for the web as their endproduct, which could be uploaded on YouTube andappear on the websites of the main Italian educationalagencies. While working on this video the students tookinto consideration the Ethical Code of Conduct on theuse of images.MOTIONITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008THE STUDENTS OF CLASS II G OF ALBE STEINERSCHOOL OF MILAN22

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANstudent STUDENT FORUM forumAWAREof the citizens’, particularly young people’s limitedknowledge of the human rights stated in theConvention on the Rights of the Child (approved by theUN Assembly on 20 November 1989 and ratified by Italyin 1991) and of the Millennium Development Goals andof the importance of achieving such goals within the settimeRECOMMENDa wider application of the principles stated in theConvention on the Rights of the Child and ask someinstitutions to publish the video produced by the classASKthe following authorities and organizations to providea link to their video on YouTube:1. the Milan District Council, in the multimediasection, accessed from their Homepage;2. the Ministry of Education, in the section “StudentsOn Line”;3. the Headmaster of “Albe Steiner” School in Milan, inthe Homepage of the school website;4. Save the Children, on their website, preferablywhere the Millennium Goals are explained;5. the Provincial School Authority of Milan to send acircular to all the secondary schools in Milan and thesurrounding areas explaining and reminding theimportance of the Millennium Goals and giving themthe link to their video on YouTube.CLASS V FALESSANDRO MANZONISCHOOLMilan, May 9 th 2008After the presentation of the UN Convention on theRights of the Child and of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals, the students of Class V F of “A. Manzoni” Schoolchose to focus on the third goal. Issues related towomen’s empowerment were analysed by highlightingsome aspects, such as the exclusion of girls fromeducation in some countries, the relationship betweenwomen and politics in Italy, and by reviewing existinglegislation protecting women and girls on worldwide,national and local levels. With the following motion theclass asks the institutions to promote women’sparticipation in the politics and economy of the countryand to make public opinion more aware of issuesrelated to gender equality. Their end product aims atbeing an analysis tool to better understand women’scondition in Italy. The students decided to usepowerpoint as a tool to create awareness.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS V F OF ALESSANDROMANZONI SCHOOL OF MILANAWARE• of the significance of the human rights affirmed bythe Convention on the Rights of the Child (approvedby the UN Assembly on 20 November 1989 andratified in Italy in May 1991);• of the importance to achieve the MillenniumDevelopment Goals within the set time;• of the existence of discrimination against women inthe social, political and working fields.AND BEARING IN MINDthe third Millennium Development Goal, which says:“promote gender equality and empower women”RECOMMENDwider application of the principles of the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child, particularly ofthe principle of non-discrimination (Art. 2)ASKDr. Antonella Maiolo, Under-secretary at the Presidencyfor the Rights of the Citizens and Equal Opportunitiesof the Lombardy Region, to undertake:1. to encourage women’s participation in the economyof the regional area and to promote conciliationpolicies;2. to enhance new training and counselling activities forItalian and foreign women and families;3. to protect associations and non-profit organizationsthat fight for Equal Opportunities like: Crinali donneper un mondo nuovo, Epocadonna, etc.;4. to facilitate female presence in decision-making roles.Dr. Valerio Neri, Director General of Save theChildren, Italy, to undertake:1. to spread data and statistics in schools in order toinform students about gender discrimination;2. to make public opinion more aware of this issuethrough mass media (tv, newspapers, radio, etc.);Professor Luigi Barbarino, Headmaster of “A. Manzoni”School, to undertake:1. to put the work done by the class on the schoolwebsite;2. to grant a school assembly for the purpose of makingstudents and teachers aware of the equalopportunities issue.Milan, May 9 th 200823

fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANSTUDENT student FORUM forumITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008CLASS II HORIANI MAZZINI SCHOOLAfter analysing the Millennium Development Goals andthe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, thestudents of Class II H of “Oriani Mazzini” School choseto tackle the sixth goal, because it deals with a realproblem for them, being young people exposed topossible infection and future social health workers -HIV/AIDS. Following a preliminary survey based on theanalysis of research studies and documents, the classchose to take a deeper look at the matter through someinterviews to key figures within the socioeconomic(Milan District Council), health (Milan Local HealthAuthorities) and social voluntary work (ANLAIDS, thenational association against AIDS and the ARCHE’ nonprofitorganization) contexts.The motion demands contribution to the spreading ofinformation by opening counselling counters at thethree branches of the school and enhancement ofprevention by distributing condoms and informationleaflets in places where young people go.As an end product they prepared an information leafletto be distributed to the public at a party that will beorganized by the school.MOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS II H OF ORIANI MAZZINISCHOOL OF MILANAWAREof the importance of the human rights contained in theConvention on the Rights of the Child approved by theUN Assembly on 20 November 1989 and ratified in Italyin 1991, particularly• the right to life (Art. 6);• the right to health, medical care and to informationthat will help you stay well (Art. 24);• the right to have your therapies and livingarrangements checked regularly if you have to belooked after away from home (Art. 25);campaigns on mass media, but also through smallgroups channels like school and work”. As regardsprotection of the rights of HIV-positive people, thedecree acknowledges that: “The difficulty inguaranteeing this right to protection depends bothon the complexity of giving complete and effectiveinformation on this point, and on the need ofgetting these people to transform the giveninformation in consequent behaviour (...). Specificprotection should be reserved for some vulnerablegroups that are exposed to infection, particularlychildren and women”.RECOMMENDwider application of the UN Convention on the Rightsof the ChildASK• the Headmaster of “Oriani-Mazzini School in Milan tocontribute to the spreading of information byopening a counselling counter at the three branchesof the school;• the Local Health Authorities of Milan to increaseprevention by distributing condoms and informativeleaflets at clubs and places where young people go;• the School Authority, the Regional Government,and the City Council of Milan to protect HIV-positivechildren from discrimination;• the Provincial Administration of Milana) to support our initiative by preparing a gazebo in aplace, where young people usually go, for thedistribution of information and preventionmaterial;b)to undertake to spread information aboutHIV/AIDS in schools.Milan, May 9 th 2008AND BEARING IN MIND- the sixth Millennium Development Goal, which says:“Combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and otherdiseases”;- and the decree of the President of the Republic of 8March 2000 which says: “Concentrate theeducational, informative and awareness efforts forprevention among young people, in all the preadolescentphase, and on groups of young peoplewho do not go to school or who live in sociallydegraded and marginalized environments (...).Continuous information about methods ofprotection from HIV infection is necessary. Suchinformation should be spread not only through24

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANstudent STUDENT FORUM forumspagnaCLASS IVSALVADOR DALÍ HIGHSCHOOL OF LEGANÉSMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS IV OF THE SALVADORDALÍ HIGH SCHOOL OF LEGANÉSASKthose responsible for youth policies and for socialaffairs in the City Council of Leganés1. to support other countries in developing ademocratic government interested in the well-beingof its citizens;2. to invest in health care and in prevention of sexuallytransmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.Madrid, May 9 th 2008CLASS IIIALÀZARO CARRETERSECONDARY SCHOOL OFRIVAS VACIAMADRIDMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS IIIA OF LÀZAROCARRETER SECONDARY SCHOOL OF RIVASVACIAMADRIDASKthe President of the Autonomous Community ofMadrid Esperanza Aguirre1. to include the priority of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals in her political agenda;2. to fund some programmes which aim at offeringservices and benefits to that part of the populationrisking social exclusion.Madrid, May 9 th 2008CLASS IVATENEA HIGH SCHOOLOF FUENLABRADAMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS IV ATENEA HIGHSCHOOL OF FUENLABRADAASKthe Ministry of Equal Opportunities and the Ministryof Foreign Affairs and Cooperation1. to make public opinion aware of HIV/AIDS, byfocusing on the promotion of patients’ rights;2. to promote school programmes on the prevention ofdomestic violence.Madrid, May 9 th 2008CLASS IVLOPE DE VEGA SCHOOLOF MADRIDMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS IV OF LOPE DE VEGASCHOOL OF MADRIDASKDr. Isabel Martínez Siles and the regional office of theMinistry of Health1. to economically support the MillenniumDevelopment Goals;2. to start HIV/AIDS prevention programmes;3. to protect flora and fauna, to reduce carbon dioxide(CO 2 ) emissions and toxic products.Madrid, May 9 th 200825

fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANlatVIaCLASS XDAUGAVPILS STATE GRAMMARSCHOOL OF DAUGAVPILSMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS X OF DAUGAVPILS STATEGRAMMAR SCHOOL OF DAUGAVPILSafter having analysed the Millennium DevelopmentGoals - particularly goal number seven, “ensureenvironmental sustainability” - and the UN Conventionon the Rights of the Child, with particular attention toarticle twenty-fourAWAREof the fact that the city centre, far from being clean, needsadditional litter bins and a waste separation systemASKthe City Council of DaugavpilsSTUDENT student FORUM forum• to carefully consider the received information aboutseparation of waste in the city centre of Daugavpils;• to find an effective strategy for waste separation;• to put more litter bins in the park next to the railway,opposite Maxima supermarket.Riga, May 9 th 2008CLASS XI ADAUGAVPILS STATE GRAMMARSCHOOL OF DAUGAVPILSMOTIONITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008THE STUDENTS OF CLASS XI A OF DAUGAVPILSSTATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL OF DAUGAVPILSafter an in-depth study of the Millennium DevelopmentGoals - particularly goal number five, “improve maternalhealth” -WOULD LIKEto recall some human rights of the UN Convention onthe Rights of the Child, approved in 1989 and ratified bythe Latvian Parliament in 1992, that are strictly related tothe fifth Millennium Development Goal• Article 6 (the right to life);• Articles 18, 19, 20 (the right to development andprotection);• Article 27 (the right of every child to a standard ofliving adequate for the child’s physical, mental,spiritual, moral and social development).RECOMMENDa better application of the UN Convention on the Rightsof the Child and a systematic implementation of theMillennium Development Goals andASKthe Department of Youth Policies of the City Councilof Daugavpils• to enhance maternal health in Daugavpils;• to guarantee the rights of single mothers;• to economically support the advisory centre ofDaugavpils, thus acknowledging its prominent roleamong the services offered to the local population;• to enhance the role and potentialities of the family byorganizing awareness programmes within schools;• to publish the videos produced by the class on theCity Council website and on the youth site (gorod.lv)in order to divulge our projects.Riga, May 9 th 200826

ITALY - SPAIN - LATVIAACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008fF oO rum RUM european EUROPEANstudent STUDENT FORUM forumCLASS II BVILIS PLUDONIS KULDĪGASCHOOL OF KULDĪGAMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS II B OF VILIS PLUDONISKULDĪGA SCHOOL OF KULDĪGAhaving analysed the Millennium Development Goals -particularly goal number one, “eradicate extremepoverty and hunger” -AWAREof the fact that poverty is a widespread condition andthat people do not need only food to surviveWOULD LIKEto recall some human rights sanctioned by the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child and contained inarticles 6 (Right to life), 18 and 26 (Right todevelopment and protection); andASKthe youth centre and the local government to fulfil thefollowing requests:1. Help the poor by giving them money, food andclothes;2. Check the number of people who need a free meal atour school;3. Spread data and information about this problemthrough newspapers, TV, radio and conferences;4. Organize a summer camp for children who are inpoverty situations;5. Promote donations and distribute presents.Riga, May 9 th 2008CLASS XIKULDĪGA SECONDARYSCHOOL OF ART ANDHUMANITIES OF KULDĪGAMOTIONTHE STUDENTS OF CLASS XI OF KULDĪGASECONDARY SCHOOL OF ART AND HUMANITIESOF KULDĪGAafter analysing the Millennium Development Goals,particularly goal number five - “improve maternalhealth” -, in relation to the UN Convention on theRights of the Child, approved in 1989 and ratified by theLatvian Parliament in 1992AWARE• that today citizens are not informed about the causesof maternal mortality;• that maternal health develops chain reactions onchildren’s birth and mortality rates;WOULD LIKEto recall some human rights sanctioned by the UNConvention on the Rights of the Child contained inarticles 6 (Right to life), 18, 19, 20 (Right todevelopment and protection) and 27 (Right of everychild to a standard of living adequate for the child’sphysical, mental, spiritual, moral and socialdevelopment); andASKthe Department of Youth Policies of the City Councilof Kuldīga1. to economically support the advisory centre ofKuldīga;2. to provide information to young mothers in need ofhelp;3. to make boys and girls aware - as future parents - ofmaternal health in their country and in the world.Riga, May 9 th 200827

F O RUMTHESTUDENTS’VOICEITALY• How would you judge the Forum? “Positivebecause the issues tackled during the forumwere very interesting as we had the opportunityto discuss, with other young people of our age,problems which still persist, despite the greatnumber of actions to try and solve them. Someof these problems closely concern us, as forexample empowerment of women, women inpolitics and better protection from diseases suchas HIV/AIDS”.• What are your expectations as regards theapproved motions? “I hope the requests will becarried out, so as to contribute in improvingwhat surrounds us: specific educational andhealth conditions, and discrimination”.4The students’considerations weregathered during thefinal assessment ofthe project.• Would you recommend participating in theForum to another class or not? “Yes, because Ibelieve it’s an experience that helps you“mature” because before the forum there’s awhole process to follow. You collaborate with theclass, with the teachers, you learn new things,you learn about problems that exist in the worldand which we often are not aware of or we don’tconsider because they do not affect us. And theForum is precisely a place for exchanging views”.28

SPAINLATVIA• Participating in the European Student Forum onthe Millennium Development Goals has been animportant experience. For the first time I couldtalk to the authorities and make them listen tomy opinion.• The last day was very interesting because wecould listen to the opinions of other studentswho had followed the same programme in otherschools and also in other countries. We couldn’talways hear well, but it was also fun.• The issues dealt with were very interestingbecause we had the opportunity to learn aboutsituations that are far from our world; problemswe hear about on television, without reallyunderstanding. So we could exchange ouropinions and convey what we had understood tothe authorities.• Before this Project I didn`t think too muchabout how people in other Countries live. Now Iknow that there are serious problems they haveto deal with...• Thanks to this Project I learnt a lot of facts abouthealth, education, environment and I had thechance, together with my classmates to do somegood things that concern the MDGs. Togetherwith our class, we organised a charity compaign.This was the first time I participated in suchwork. We collected food and made parcels andtook them to the elderly and poor people. Wegot to know them and now I feel good that withmy work I helped some people to be morehappy.• During this Project we got information aboutdifferent problems in the world and also inLatvia, we went to local authorities to speakabout them. Maybe all together we will changesomething.29

VERSIONE CHILDFRIENDLY CRC(THE UNITED NATIONSCONVENTION ON THERIGHTS OF THE CHILD)Article 1Everyone under 18 has all these rights.Article 2You have the right to protection against discrimination.This means that nobody can treat you badly because ofyour colour, sex or religion, if you speak another language,have a disability, or are rich or poor.Article 3All adults should always do what is best for you.Article 4You have the right to have your rights made a reality by thegovernment.Article 5You have the right to be given guidance by your parents andfamily.Article 6You have the right to life.Article 7You have the right to have a name and a nationality.Article 8You have the right to an identity.Article 9You have the right to live with your parents, unless it is badfor you.Article 10If you and your parents are living in separate countries, youhave the right to get back together and live in the sameplace.Article 11You should not be kidnapped.Article 12You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened toand taken seriously.Article 13You have the right to find out things and say what youthink, through making art, speaking and writing, unless itbreaks the rights of others.Article 14You have the right to think what you like and be whateverreligion you want to be, with your parents’ guidance.Article 15You have the right to be with friends and join or set upclubs, unless this breaks the rights of others.Article 16You have the right to a private life. For instance, you cankeep a diary that other people are not allowed to see.30

Article 17You have the right to collect information from the media -radios, newspapers, television, etc - from all around theworld.You should also be protected from information thatcould harm you.Article 18You have the right to be brought up by your parents, ifpossible.Article 19You have the right to be protected from being hurt orbadly treated.Article 20You have the right to special protection and help if youcan’t live with your parents.Article 21You have the right to have the best care for you if you areadopted or fostered or living in care.Article 22You have the right to special protection and help if you area refugee.A refugee is someone who has had to leave theircountry because it is not safe for them to live there.Article 23If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you havethe right to special care and education to help you developand lead a full life.Article 24You have a right to the best health possible and to medicalcare and to information that will help you to stay well.Article 25You have the right to have your living arrangementschecked regularly if you have to be looked after away fromhome.Article 26You have the right to help from the government if you arepoor or in need.Article 27You have the right to a good enough standard of living.Thismeans you should have food, clothes and a place to live.Article 28You have the right to education.Article 29You have the right to education which tries to develop yourpersonality and abilities as much as possible and encouragesyou to respect other people’s rights and values and torespect the environment.Article 30If you come from a minority group, because of your race,religion or language, you have the right to enjoy your ownculture, practise your own religion, and use your ownlanguage.Article 31You have the right to play and relax by doing things likesports, music and drama.Article 32You have the right to protection from work that is bad foryour health or education.Article 33You have the right to be protected from dangerous drugs.Article 34You have the right to be protected from sexual abuse.Article 35No-one is allowed to kidnap you or sell you.Article 36You have the right to protection from of any other kind ofexploitation.Article 37You have the right not to be punished in a cruel or hurtfulway.Article 38You have a right to protection in times of war. If you areunder 15, you should never have to be in an army or takepart in a battle.Article 39You have the right to help if you have been hurt, neglected,or badly treated.Article 40You have the right to help in defending yourself if you areaccused of breaking the law.Article 41You have the right to any rights in laws in your country orinternationally that give you better rights than these.Article 42All adults and children should know about thisconvention.You have a right to learn about your rights andadults should learn about them too.This is a simplified version of the United NationsConvention on the Rights of the Child. It has been signedby 191 countries.The convention has 54 articles in total. Articles 43-54 areabout how governments and international organisations willwork to give children their rights.The official text of the Convention can be obtained fromSave the Children, Education Department, 17 Grove Lane,London SE5 8RD.31

Save the Children is the world’sleading independent children’s rightsorganisation, with membersin 29 countries and operationalprogrammes in more than 120.We fight for children’s rights anddeliver lasting improvements tochildren’s lives worldwide.Save the Children Italia OnlusHeadquartersVia Volturno 58 - 00185 Rometel. +39 06 480 70 01fax +39 06 480 70 039info@savethechildren.itMilan OfficeVia Stresa, 3 - 20125 Milantel. +39 02 670 78 446fax +39 02 671 99 525eas@savethechildren.itwww.savethechildren.it