Written by Claire Laison, AKAP Director

Children are often the passive audience of activities and projects, but if provided the opportunity and platform to lead, one can wonder – how would children do things their way? 

This is one of the questions answered by Children Teaching and Learning for and with Kids (ChildTALK), done with the support of the European Union, through its Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice (GOJUST), in partnership with the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) and Office of the City Mayor of Mandaluyong. Through ChildTALK, a new group of child advocates and facilitators called CP3 were trained to lead.

Coined by children themselves, CP3 stands for “Children’s Power, Protection, and Participation.” CP3 proved that children can lead and facilitate advocacy-related activities about children’s rights. This was seen during the Community Awareness Raising and Education (CARE) held in Mandaluyong City College’s Gymnasium on 27 January 2024. It was attended by their fellow children from Mandaluyong, ages 10 to 15, together with their parents and guardians, who actively participated throughout the learning sessions.

During CARE, CP3 children shared about the rights and responsibilities of children and the role of duty bearers based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). They also shared ways to protect children from cyberbullying and basic online safety tips. Lastly, they showed how children can be active advocates for protecting the environment by knowing the causes and impact of climate change on children. In all sessions, children shared how to report specific violations to appropriate authorities, including barangays and police, and through Makabata Helpline 1383.

Child Participation as a Tool

To ensure that children can participate fully and safely, the ChildTALK program followed the nine basic standards of child participation. AHRC believes that child participation is a right and a tool to help children achieve their other rights. 

Transparent and informative

The ChildTALK program was explained to CP3 children during the Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS) in 2023. Children were provided with briefers and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help them understand how they would become child rights advocates.  A copy of the FAQs on Child Rights and issues is uploaded on the Resources page and is available for public use.

Voluntary

At the start of every ChildTALK activity during the Child Safeguarding portion, AHRC facilitators ensured the participants that it was safe to withdraw their participation if they felt uncomfortable or reluctant to proceed.  AHRC also prioritized children’s school activities and the availability of adult support. 

Respectful

Children’s questions and suggestions were taken seriously throughout the ChildTALK program. Their insights on the schedule, program design, topics, and methods of teaching were considered and adapted into the actual activities. This is one way to show that adults respect the views of children and are given due weight. Children were also reminded to be respectful towards other children and adults. All adult support, staff, and volunteers involved in the activities were oriented on AHRC’s child safeguarding policy.  

Relevant

ChildTALK focuses on child rights and ways to protect children such as where to report in case of violation. AHRC also asked children which topics are relevant to them and their peers. They also suggested the topic on Climate Change and Environment with their belief that children can also care for their surroundings. 

Child-friendly

Children were encouraged to use different strategies and ways to teach children’s rights to make it a conducive and fun learning experience for other children.  Props and art materials were provided for children to use. They used games and activities to help children remember the topics. Children helped in the design and improvement of the presentation decks and FAQs.

Inclusive

Regardless of the differences in age and gender, children were provided with equal opportunity to participate in all ChildTALK activities. The needs of children with disabilities were monitored with the help of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Division (PDAD) of Mandaluyong LGU. The tasks and activities were designed according to the different levels of child participation to be considerate of children with different backgrounds and skills. 

Supported by Training,

AHRC ensured that CP3 children received the support and guidance needed to become champions of children’s rights. CP3 children were taught about their rights and related issues relevant to them. They also underwent facilitation workshops and leadership training that helped them design the CARE program during BOS and the Leadership, Evaluation, and Planning (LEAP) workshop.

Safe and Sensitive to Risk

Their safety and well-being are considered by using child-friendly teaching methods and engaging with children. The partners of AHRC share the same standards in this project. The support from the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) of Mandaluyong and Unang Hakbang Foundation (UHF) made the facilitation of ChildTALK 2023 possible. The Child Safeguarding Policy of AHRC is activated throughout the ChildTALK activities. 

Accountable 

Children were also included in the evaluation of the project. During the debriefing session, CP3 children expressed that they were proud to have worked together as a team to make the activities successful. They were honest and welcoming to comments and suggestions from their fellow children and adult support on improving their facilitation methods further and making the ChildTALK program more child-friendly, inclusive, and a fun learning experience for future child advocates. 

For children, by children

At the culmination of ChildTALK 2023 in Mandaluyong, there is hope that it will be the start of more programs and policies designed for and by children through the CP3 children, who are also the child representatives of their respective barangays. 

Child Rights awareness for children, by children, will continue this year. AHRC, CP3 children, and LCPC will be designing the program for ChildTALK 2024 which will be offered to selected public schools in Mandaluyong and facilitated by CP3 children.

About ChildTALK

The ChildTALK program, initially established by AHRC in 2012, aims to empower and equip children with basic knowledge of existing and new child protection laws and how to protect themselves through existing legal mechanisms. In 2023, AHRC revived and enhanced the program to make it more responsive to children’s needs, especially regarding protecting and understanding their rights. 

The ChildTALK program follows the nine standards of child participation indicated in the UNCRC General comment No. 12 (2009) – The right of the child to be heard. AHRC aims to promote the importance of child participation in ensuring that all children enjoy their rights, starting in their homes and communities. For more information, please contact ahrc.law@ateneo.edu.