World Children's Rights Day of November 20
The celebration was held in the hall where the first flag of Italy was born.
There were many speeches and I have included just a few to give you the idea of what the ceremony was about.
The Mayor of Reggio Emilia spoke first. His speech was about how the city of Reggio Emilia is open about their support of the rights of children, people & humans all over the world…about people having the right to live in democracies. They are open and connected to the world and this is why there are 100 flags from all over the world flying for this celebration. The beauty of the flag is that it is visual story which is immediately able to cross boundaries.
The woman who spoke on behalf of the University of Unimore said that the University is increasing its involvement in the culture of rights, and therefore is working more with schools now.
Carla Rinaldi spoke, saying:
1. When a society takes care of its children everyone benefits.
2. The meaning of education now, “not just traditional schooling, but how to be human”.
Professor Lester Iribana- Rigney, from Australia spoke next. He opened with the comment that he is very proud to be a defender of children. It was very special for me to have a representative from the Southern Hemisphere here. He really challenged the audience with the following messages:
If all countries except the U.S signed the U.N Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, then why are 149 million under the age of 5 starving?
1 million are detained in prisons.
50 million are not in pre school.
Article 24 says that children have a right to nutritious food, clean water so they can sustain thier lives.
Article 29 says that children have aright to education and good health; but malnutrition, obesity and broken food systems put the child’s rights at the heart of food systems.
In the light of these things the Scientific Committee of Reggio Children have shifted their focus to health now and are working on empowerment for children based on food and nutrition.
Howard Gardner is the author of Multiple Intelligences and his main message was that he feels we need to move away from the mentality of ‘my child getting ahead of everyone else’s child’ and schools being a single set of egos, to more ‘togetherness’ and sense of community (like the Reggio approach).
You probably get the sense that it was a very special occasion. What struck me once again was how the Reggio Emilia approach is not just an educational one, but it is an approach taken by the whole city. I can honestly say that on a daily basis it is obvious as you move about the place, which is very special to experience.
I have included some photos in the gallery of the municipal chambers where it was held- which are quite beautiful.