It’s the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old are often neglected in the human rights debate. The leaders wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too. As a result, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was developed. It is the world’s most widely ratified human rights treaty. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

Take a look at the CRC leaflet (PDF) and think about what it means to you. Then make a video showing what child rights mean to you, whether it be in the world at large, your country or your community. Maybe there is an example of how children’s rights are not being fulfilled. Or maybe you want to show a situation where children are getting the rights they deserve. Tell us what you think.

The winning video will be used in the CRC’s 20th anniversary celebration and made available for broadcast around the world for the 2010 The International Children’s Day of Broadcasting.

Video content must be related to children’s rights, either by illustrating one of the rights or referencing children’s rights as a whole. Videos must capture the mission of Voices of Youth - to promote and protect every child’s right to know more, say more and do more about the world they live in.

Eligibility

-UNICEF welcomes videos in all languages; however, for videos not in English, please provide an English language transcript of the script or summary

-All videos must be 1 minute in length

-Participants must be below 25 years of age

Deadline: 30 August 2009.

Read the full eligibility criteria and submission guidelines at:
http://www.unicef.org/voy/takeaction/takeaction_4440.html