“In order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Office of the Commissioner for Children has undertaken to organise a large scale project named Guginu’s Tour. Guginu’s Tour is aimed at familiarising children and young people with the important rights granted to them under the UN Convention, in a way which is child-friendly and tailored for the children themselves,” said Carmen Zammit, Commissioner for Children during a press conference held at St Ignatius College, Siggiewi Primary, one of the schools to be visited by the interactive tour.

The adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989 was a significant step in the realisation of children’s rights, and is marked through World Children’s Day which is celebrated on the 20th November of every year. It is a day whereby the welfare and happiness of the child is given distinct attention, through the promotion of the fundamental rights which are due to every child in the world. The date marks a significant milestone in the recognition of the rights of the child, and was given due significance by Malta through the ratification of the UN Convention in 1990.

Guginu’s Tour is a traveling interactive programme designed to teach children about their rights according to the UN Convention in a child-friendly manner. It will take place over a period of two weeks from the 16th November until the 1st December 2009. The tour consists of a large mobile trailer visiting one selected primary school per day during this period, as well as local councils on the weekend, in order to present an interactive educational programme to primary school children. Each interactive programme includes a forum theatre, games, a video clip and distribution of freebies.

The Commissioner for Children will be in attendance during the programme, in order to directly communicate with the children about their rights as granted to them in the UN Convention.

Aside from the primary schools which will be visited during the week, the trailer will also be visiting Qormi local council on Saturday 21st November, The Palace in Valletta on Sunday 22nd November (as part of the World Children’s Day celebrations), Nadur Local Council on Saturday 28th November, and Ta’ Qali National Park on Sunday 29th November. All children are welcome to visit Guginu’s Tour on these occasions.

Guginu’s Tour is being kindly sponsored by Attard Services Limited, Malta Dairy Product Ltd, Jokate Group of Co Ltd, Gozo Channel line, and Thomas Smith Insurance Broker Agency.

Tour dates are shown below:

Monday 16th November St. Gorg Preca College, Floriana Primary (Fosos)

Tuesday 17th November St. Clare College, San Gwann Primary

Wednesday 18th November St. Theresa College, Lija Balzan Primary

Thursday 19th November St. Dorothy’s Primary, Zebbug

Friday 20th November St. Ignatius College, Siggiewi Primary

Saturday 21st November Qormi Local Council

Sunday 22nd November Malta Children’s Festival, Valletta

Monday 23rd November St Thomas More College, Zejtun Primary

Tuesday 24th November Maria Regina College, Mellieha Primary

Wednesday 25th November San Andrea School, Mgarr (L/O Zebbiegh)

Thursday 26th November St. Nicholas College, Mgarr Primary

Friday 27th November Gozo College, Xewkija Primary

Saturday 28th November Nadur Local Council

Sunday 29th November Ta’ Qali National Park

Monday 30th November De La Salle, Cottonera *

Tuesday 1st December St. Benedict College, B’Bugia Primary

* To be confirmed