A recent survey reveals that over half of young people aged 12 to 18 are unaware of their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The survey, conducted by the Dutch Youth Situation and the NGO Alliance for Children’s Rights, gathered responses from more than 1,000 young people.
The Netherlands has been committed to protecting children’s rights since signing the UN convention 30 years ago. Under this agreement, the government is required to inform young people about their rights. However, child rights organizations argue that these efforts are insufficient.
These organizations believe that when young people are fully informed about their rights, they are better equipped to defend them. They also emphasize that understanding children’s rights and encouraging youth participation are key to fulfilling the goals of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The survey found that young people gave the government a rating of just 3.8 out of 10 for listening to their opinions, despite their legal right to be heard.
Marc Dullaert, the founder of Youth Status and Children’s Rights, highlighted the importance of participation in democracy. “If younger generations are not involved, the future of our society is at risk. Education about children’s rights is crucial. Without knowing your rights, you can’t fully participate. This education should be mandatory in schools,” Dullaert stated.
In response, Children’s Rights groups have called on the government to better adhere to the convention. They recently submitted a report to MPs, outlining the concerns of young people about the current state of their rights.
