Children have only one opportunity to grow and develop their full potential and as Leaders in Scouting you play an important role in young people's growth and development. In all countries children are a precious resource and it is very important that governments and individuals work to make sure that children's well-being, growth and development are a priority.

In 1989 the United Nations adopted a Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that each Country should give its children the best it has to give. Here are some activities to help you and your Cub Scouts explore children's rights. Relevant parts of the Convention are quoted under the chapter headings and they apply to children all around the world. Scouting as an international family can play its part in promoting and working for children's rights.

Programme Ideas

Cut out some pictures of children from different backgrounds and write the following words on card or pieces of paper.

One of the other languages spoken in Uganda is Lugandan and the greetings in Lugandan are:

love	affection
clean air	time for play
television	enough food
pocket money	go to school
be themselves	be different
be listened to	clean water
sweets	toys
friends	holidays in other countries
have their own bedroom	not being beaten with sticks

Have one set of cards for each picture. Taking one picture at a time and in small groups ask the Cub Scouts to think about the life of the child and what they have a right to. Each Cub Scout uncovers a card and decides whether the young person has this right or not.

The results can be compared and the Cub Scouts asked to give an opinion on why there may be differences.

A thought

Children often have little or no opportunity to have their opinions listened to or acted upon. Sixers should have an opportunity to contribute to

Activity

1. Write a letter, a poem, or draw a picture of how the Pack could be improved!
2. Discuss what should be taken note of or changed in the local community. Write a letter to the local paper, the Group Scout Leader or the local council. This could be on any number of topics but might include the opening hours of the library, play facilities locally or the provision of pedestrian crossings or cycling tracks or where they would like to go for the Group Camp.
3. What do the Cub Scouts most and least enjoy about Cub Scouting? Make a list and when it is completed ask them to think about what they could do to help everyone enjoy Cub Scouts more.
4. Make a note of their actions and this could be a code of practice for the Pack or for each Six. An example:

   Cub Scouts in the Red Six will: Share their sweets Be kind to each other Be good losers Welcome new Cub Scouts

   ddddd

   Cub Scouts in the 32nd Anywhere Pack will: Play fairly Listen to each other and to Leaders Be on time _______________________ _______________________