Human rights shield
You’ll need
- Shield template per person and spares (page 11, Rights Challenge resource pack)
- Rights information sheet (page 9, Rights Challenge resource pack)
- Pencils
- Rubbers/ erasers
- Colouring pens and pencils
- Arts and craft supplies
- Crafting glue
- Elastic band or string
- Sticky tape
- Scissors
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
- Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.
Planning and setting up this activity
- Print out shield template for everyone (page 11 in right challenge resource pack) and spares.
- Print out the Rights information sheet (page 9 in right challenge resource pack) for pairs to share.
Running this activity
Gather everyone around and tell that today they will be learning about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Charter on Human Rights (UNHCR)
Start by telling them to imagine they are a hero and every hero has a special shield.
Prompt questions to get them thinking.
- What does a superheroes shield do?
- If they had a shield, what might they use it for?
- What keeps them safe or happy?
- What sort of things should their shield protect?
Explain that shields can be seen as a way to protect someone, just like their rights protect them. This session is designed to support young people to think about the rights that really matter to them. It’s likely that they will discuss or identify some rights or areas more than others (for example, family, friends, playing sports). Although the shield represents the rights that they are passionate about, you can remind them that all rights are important. the UNCRC can be used as a good reference point, as nearly every country in the world has signed up to it, despite having very different governments, economic situations, and priorities. Creating the collective shield is a process where everyone is heard, has a say and can come to an agreement. These are the principles which underpin the creation of the UNCRC. The USA is the only country in the world not signed up to the UNCRC.
- Give out the Rights Information sheet and get those that want to read aloud, to read all the sections, ‘what are human rights?, The United Nations Convention on Human Rights (UNHCR), What are Scotland’s promises to children under the UNCRC? More about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in Scotland.
- After each section has been read aloud, have a short discussion about what they understood from it.
- Give everyone a shield template and get them decorate it with the things in their life they want the shield to protect. They can cut out pictures from magazine or draw pictures and decorate it with the arts and craft resources.
- You can attach a short piece of string or elastic to the back of each shield so the children can hold them or wear them on their sleeve. Group photos can be shared with the Commissioner’s office.
- Alternatively, the group can work together to create one shield using everyone’s ideas. Everyone can choose what to stick on the shield. Display the finished shield with pride, take a photo or video and share with the Commissioner’s office.
Reflection
Today we learned that everyone has rights that help keep us safe, happy, and treated fairly. These rights are like a shield that protects us. When we are kind, listen to others, and play fairly, we help make sure everyone’s rights are protected—this is part of being a good Scout in The Scouts
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.
- Scissors
Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.
- Glue and solvents
Always supervise young people appropriately when they’re using glue and solvent products. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.
Have ready cut out shields for younger squirrels or those that have difficulty in using scissors.
Make it accessible
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
