Why Rights Matter to Us Series

Hunter | 16 | New South Wales

As young people, we often hear about ‘rights’, the right to go to school, the right to feel safe, the right to speak up. But what do these really mean, and why are they so important?

I have noticed that my peers do not always understand their rights and the impact they have on their lives. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be just my experience. Over 60 per cent of children and young people who took part in a survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission said they did not know or were unaware that they had special rights. I believe that it’s important that we develop our understanding of rights at an early age so that we can grow into empowered individuals who can shape the world for the better.

All young people should be taught about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC):

·      Adopted by the United Nations in 1948, the UDHR outlines basic freedoms and protections that every person should have, regardless of age, race, gender, or nationality. These include the right to education, freedom of expression, and protection from discrimination or unfair treatment.

·      The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, is all about protecting children and young people under the age of 18. The Convention states that every child has the right to life, survival, and development, as well as the right to be heard and the right to be protected from violence, abuse, and neglect. It also ensures access to quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment to grow up in.

To me, these rights are more than words on paper, they are important concepts that affect our daily lives, even when we don’t fully realise!

The right to education doesn’t just mean having the ability to go to school; it means having access to quality learning, being treated fairly in the classroom, and feeling safe while you’re on campus. In addition, the right to be heard means young people should have a say in decisions that affect them, whether at school, in their community, or even in politics. Moreover, what does the fact that the Salvation Army show that almost 1 in 4 of those experiencing homelessness are under 18 tell us about the quality of young people’s right to a standard of living adequate for their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development in Australia? By understanding our rights, we can question how far decision-makers are fulfilling their obligations. 

My message to other young people is - your rights are your POWER. Learn them. Use them. Defend them. You have the voice to challenge injustice, the heart to inspire others, and the power to lead change. Don’t wait to be heard, speak up. Your story and passion could be the spark that changes someone's life, or even the world!