Peace and Cooperation School Award
“The future of children and youth – Growing happy in a safe world”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.
The Preamble of this important Statement begins by saying “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people…”
The Peace and Cooperation Foundation and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are concerned that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains critical as a result of inadequate social conditions, natural disasters, armed conflicts, exploitation, illiteracy, hunger and disability, and convinced that urgent and effective national and international action is needed.
Both Institutions join forces to achieve a peaceful world where we all can live together in peace and where children, all over the world, “can be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men”1 as it is stablished in DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD2.
Click to see the rules
Calendar and Rules of the Competition
The global Scholar Art Campaign will be organized in three categories:
1. Drawings for students aged 2 to 6 (preschool education):
Los niños están invitados a “soñar” y dibujar un mundo con un espíritu de comprensión, tolerancia, amistad entre los pueblos, paz y fraternidad universal.
2. Posters for students aged 7 to 12 (primary education):
We suggest starting this activity by watching this emotional (and short) video
In what kind of world would you like to live? In a world where the rights of children and adults are respected? In order to be able to respect rights, we must first know them. We invite teachers to introduce students, both the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS and DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.
We invite students to paint/draw posters reflecting the one right of DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD -as these rights are protecting children as they are- . We suggest teachers to try to cover all the rights and make an exhibition in the school where kids can explain to their schoolmates the rights they have and how to respect the other´s rights.
Note for teachers (links): DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD https://www.humanium.org/en/convention/text/
3. Murals for students aged 13 to 18 (secondary education):
Do you know what ODS means? The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
The fulfillment of the ODS will provide a better and a happier world. Can you help UN to achieve this Goals? We suggest teachers to explain the 17 Goals to Transform Our World available at https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
Let´s change the world. Let´s make it safer and fair. We are going to work on Goal nº 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
Draw in a piece of paper (A4 size or bigger) your ideas to achieve a peaceful and inclusive societies.
4. School celebration: students, teachers and family:
Please organize a special school day dedicated to the Rights of Children and send us drawing and pictures of that ceremony.
Message from the General Director of UNESCO to Peace and Co-operation
“Peace and Co-operation, an organisation that has achieved recognition for its untiring defence of peace and non-violence. One of its most outstanding initiatives has been to recognise, with its ?Peace and Co-operation School Award?, the efforts of those who work towards the ideals of peace, multicultural relations and diversity from all corners of the world”
Koichiro Matsuura
General Director of UNESCO
Barcelona Forum, September 21st 2004.
An Appeal to Teachers
Education in the promotion of peace must constantly be included in your work as educators if you want to aid in the promotion of better human relations.
PEACE AND COOPERATION wants to help you with this difficult task by offering you different activities to motivate students and give content to these objectives that, for certain, form part of your school’s Principles of Education.
Your work is important, and because of that we encourage your participation and offer you our deepest gratitude.