The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) presented the Children Teaching and Learning for and by Kids (ChildTALK) project before the city’s LGU during the Monday Morning Program of the City of Mandaluyong today, 4 December 2023. The program was held to recognize the different activities held during the Children’s Month celebration of Mandaluyong City, including ChildTALK.
“We believe children have a role to protect themselves and other children and avoid becoming victims of abuse and exploitation. Children can be child rights champions and advocates.” Ms. Claire Laison, director for AKAP-AHRC said at the start of the statement. She also emphasized the role of different duty bearers so that children can seek support and report any violations of children’s rights.
AHRC’s statement of gratitude recognizes the commitment and support of the Mandaluyong LGU towards the ChildTALK project, specifically Mayor Benjamin Abalos, together with Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos, members of the council, Sanggunian, Liga ng mga Barangay, as well as Mr. Leo Urmeneta, Executive Director and Marvin Capco, Co-Chair of the Local Council for the Protection of Children(LCPC) and all its members. Ms. Laison also recognized the support of the Unang Hakbang Foundation Inc. since the start of the ChildTALK project in 2012.
During the program, the ChildTALK 2023 batch named Children’s Power, Protection, and Participation (CP3) Mandaluyong was presented to the public. CP3 children underwent various ChildTALK activities, such as the Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) last August 2023 wherein children from Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kabataan (PILAK) led the sessions on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and child rights issues such as Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children or (OSAEC), Cyberbullying, Gender Sensitivity, Mental Health, Climate and Environment Justice, Adolescent Dating and Pregnancy Prevention. CP3 children also attended the Leadership, Evaluation and Planning Workshop (LEAP) last September 2023 and the Dry Run last November 2023, wherein they designed the program on children’s rights and related issues. They will lead these sessions during the Community Awareness-Raising and Education Seminar (CARE) that will be held in December 2023 with fifty children from various barangays in Mandaluyong City.
AHRC’s statement ended with the appreciation that ChildTALK will continue in Mandaluyong City in 2024. Mayor Abalos reiterated the message of ChildTALK that children can be taught about their rights and responsibilities and can teach the same to their fellow children. “Sila ngayon ‘yung magiging teacher ng kapwa bata nila. Tuturuan nila yung mga kapwa bata nila ng mga karapatan ng mga kabataan,” he said. He also expressed his gratitude to AHRC for guiding the children to become knowledgeable about their rights.
ChildTALK is part of the flagship program of the Adhikain para sa Karapatang Pambata (AKAP), the child rights desk of AHRC. It is a project under the Governance in Justice or GOJUST II, with funding support from the European Union.