The Office of the Commissioner for Children is currently receiving applications from young people aged 13-15 for its annual Rights 4U Course, taking place this year from the 10-12th July at Manresa House in Gozo.

The Rights 4U course is an initiative created by the Commissioner for Children’s office, and held on an annual basis. The Rights 4U course aims at making children’s rights accessible to young people in a manner which is aimed at their particular age group, whilst simultaneously eliciting feedback from young people and giving them the chance for their voices to be heard on various topical issues. The views and opinions of young people lend further direction to the work of the Commissioner for Children, and allow the Commissioner to represent the voice of the child more effectively.

Each year, this course proves to be very popular amongst the young participants in attendance, as they make new friends whilst actively learning the fundamental rights which are due to them under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The interactive programme includes various activities in which young people actively explore and engage in discussions on their rights. They are also given the tools to participate in matters of social concern to a higher degree, in such a way that they are empowered as active and independent members of society. The Rights 4U course focuses on personal development as well as human rights education. The young participants develop critical thinking skills, build social ties, and practically implement the concepts which they are learning about in the course such as respect, responsibility, inclusion, and independence. Whilst the participants are taught about their rights in a way which is child-friendly and appropriate for their age, they are also educated on the reciprocal need to respect the rights of others, including those of their peers.

Each year, a specific theme for the weekend live-in is chosen, in order to give direction to the activities and discussions which are organized. This year, the chosen theme for the event is ‘Giving Young People a Voice,’ and in this respect participants shall explore the issue of child participation in matters of concern to them in their daily lives. More specifically, participants shall discuss how their views and opinions can better reach Government authorities and decision-makers, and how these should be taken on board, when decisions which will impact directly upon their lives are taken.

The Rights 4U Course will be taking place at Manresa House in Gozo, and is open to all young people aged 13-15, from both Malta and Gozo. Participants selected for this course will be asked to pay a fee of €30, however a limited number of sponsorships are available for participants who may find difficulty in contributing this amount. Those who are eligible and interested in attending this course are kindly requested to contact Ms. Sharon Attard at the Office of the Commissioner for Children on 21 485180, or sharon.a.attard@gov.mt . The application deadline for this event is Thursday 30th April 2009.