The right to Participation in culture and arts

We are getting ready for ‘AyudARTE IV’
15 June, 2017
We are about to start the Winter Holidays at the Day Care Center.
12 July, 2017
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The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted in 1989 and ratified in Argentina on September 27th of 1990, recognizes the right of children and adolescents (hereafter children) to participate in the cultural life of the place where they live.

It specially rescues ‘the importance of the traditions and the cultural values of each town for the protection and the development of the child‘ and the 31th Art. Recognize ‘the right of the child to rest and recreation, play and recreational activities appropriate to his age and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.’

Just like the right of the child “to participate fully in cultural and artistic life”, stating that States should provide opportunities for children to participate in cultural, artistic and recreational life (Art. 31. 2).

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Let's focus on recreation and cultural life.

The cultural life and the arts enable each community to express issues of their identity and give children the possibility of having a worldview.

The Director of the Solidarity for Children Foundation, Adolfo Lacuesta, says culture emanates from the entire community, so no child should be unable to access it. Regarding to the State, its role is to act as a facilitator of culture granting the right of children to freely participate in it and without interfering with it except to ensure their protection (1)

The Committee on the Rights of the Child (2), in a general comment on this right declares that there are countries in which child's play, rest and recreation have not been adequately addressed yet. There are cities in particular with an increase of electronic communications, private game zones, child labor (which we have referred in a previous article) and the demand of work from schools, which negatively affects the exercise of this right.

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The Committee recommends, among other things, the diffusion of this right so children and careers really can knows and understands it.

 

Play and recreation are essential for all children's growth and development. In the matter of cultural life it is important that children participate and get involved so they reproduce, transform and transmit the culture of their societies to new generations.

When children participate in the cultural life of their countries, they also have the possibility of interacting with other cultures learning from them and diversifying their experiences.

The State and government must provide the necessary conditions for all children to be able to access on equal basis to the culture. This means the barriers faced by marginalized groups of children should be removed to guarantee the right.

However, children all over the world face great obstacles to rest, recreate and participate like poor and dangerous environments, unsuitable public spaces, little contact with nature, lack of investment in artistic and cultural opportunities, electronic games overcrowding, unrealistic educational achievements, and marketing and payment of games.  

The governments need to take some measures in order to guarantee this right, such as legislation to eradicate discrimination and to give all children equal opportunities of access. Laws about a safe internet and virtual networks, limiting access to harmful materials and informing adults, parents, teachers and public policy makers to become aware of the risks and develop strategies that provide safe options for children.

They also need to review the games and toys marketing policies, especially those promote violence and gender stereotypes.

It is essential to create inclusive physical environments for games, sports and cultural activities for children of different ages. The families and schools needs to ensure spaces and times for playing, sports programs, cultural activities and to train caregivers on the importance of the recreation right.

We share some links of interest with recreational activities to realize next to your children on this Winter Holidays (South Emisphere).

 
Bibliography in spanish:
 
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