E-course on the Rights of the Child: Call for applications

The first eighteen years of a child's life encompass a wide range of capacities and vulnerabilities. Children have special needs that have warranted particular rights. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by more countries than any other human rights instrument. The treaty's nearly universal acceptance makes it an important tool for human rights defenders around the globe. 

This introductory e-course gives an overview of the institutions and mechanisms that serve to fulfil the rights of children. You will explore particular themes that address how children's rights are being compromised, the efforts being made to stop the violations of children's rights, and how to do your part to help. 

The course combines text with rich multimedia, including videos and podcasts. Knowledge checks reinforce the information learned. Assignments engage you to solve specific problems and point you to useful resources.

Course outline

- Understand the child rights protection framework
     - Who is a child?
     - History of child rights protection
     - Guide to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
     - Role of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
     - National protection of children

- Study 10 child rights themes
     - Child labour
     - Children in armed conflict
     - Children in contact with the law
     - Children with disabilities
     - Economics
     - Education
     - Health
     - Identity
     - Sexual exploitation
     - Violence against children

Format of course

This introductory e-course is "self-paced": learners can proceed at their own speed. The course can be accessed at any time that is convenient. There is no instructor. Instead, the learner interacts directly with the content. The course can take between 3 and 10 hours to complete. For those wanting more detail, the course also links to relevant supplementary documents and websites. Because the course is self-paced, learners can complete it in a day, or spread their participation over days, weeks, or even months.

Successful completion of a final test earns the participant a certificate of completion.

Technical requirements

• Internet access
• Adobe Flash Player (*free* - get the most recent version here)

Cost

There are a limited number of scholarships available. Application deadline: 1 March 2011.

Application form for a full scholarship

Tuition for each introductory e-course is US$ 50. Tuition payments can only be made on-line by credit card (MasterCard and VISA).

Enroll in the course