The Children’s Commissioner’s office is launching one of its most popular human rights resources for children in Scots Gaelic today.
Developed with children, the resource – about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – uses symbols and clear language to explain children’s’ human rights. The resource also includes the full text of the UNCRC in Gaelic, produced by the Commissioner’s office as an advocacy and educational tool.
The resource is launched in Scots Gaelic on UN International Mother Language Day and has been specifically created with younger children in mind.
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland and his team are doing a whistle-stop tour of nursery and primary schools on Skye on 21 February, to launch the resource. They’ll be working with both English and Gaelic speaking children at:
- Fás Mòr nursery
- Broadford Primary School
- Bun-Sgoil Shlèite
- Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Phort Righ
- Mallaig Primary (Friday 22nd)
Speaking about the new Gaelic resource, Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson said he was delighted that the popular resource is now available for Gaelic speaking children:
“All children should be able to access information about their own rights in their own language. This symbols resource is the one that we use most often as a clear and accessible way to explain children’s rights to children. Because it is visual, it’s particularly useful to communicate ideas and prompt discussion with younger children and those with speech and language difficulties or additional support needs. We have also produced the full text of the UNCRC in Gaelic as we know that making the UNCRC meaningful is about much more than the words contained within it, but the words do matter. They are the legal commitment – the promises – the Government has made to Scotland’s children and young people and it can be used as a powerful advocacy tool.”
Shona NicIllinnein, CEO of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said they very much welcomed the Children’s Commissioner’s commitment to providing these resources in Gaelic and for taking the time to meet young people and adults involved in Gaelic-medium education:
“The National Gaelic Language Plan has the aim that more Gaelic is used more often, by more people, in more situations, and these resources will support that aim. The Commissioner’s recognition of the importance of Gaelic in Scottish life is particularly appropriate in the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019.”