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What are human rights?

Draw a picture of you and learn about human rights and identity.

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You’ll need

  • Plain paper
  • Pencils
  • Erasers/ rubber
  • Colouring pens
  • Assorted craft supplies

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 

  • Before the session you can order a copy of the book ‘Let’s Explore our rights’ either have physical copy or a download version available. You can get a free copy of Let’s Explore Our Rights by emailing [email protected] or printing off a copy from www.cypcs.org.uk 

Running this activity 

  1. Gather everyone around and tell them that today they will learn  what human rights are and why they are important.
  2. Everyone sits in a circle and one leader can read them the book ‘Lets explore our rights’.
  3. Give everyone a plain piece of paper, pencil, colouring pens and crafts. Ask them to draw a self portrait and write their names on the paper. They can decorate with the crafts.
  4. When everyone has completed their portrait, those that feel comfortable can share it with the rest of the group. They can share some information about them selves (their identity).
  5. Introduce the role of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. All children and young people in Scotland have a Commissioner whose job it is to promote and protect their human rights. Give them time and space to ask any questions.
  6. Here are some discussion prompts to get everyone thinking about humans rights and identity. 

  • NAMES: Everyone is given a name at birth- This is important because they tell people who you are. 

  • BIOLOGICAL SEX: Everyone is assigned biological sex at birth (male or female) based on the genetic and physical attributes we're born with.  

  • ETHNICITY: When you belong to a particular cultural or racial group (based on skin colour), share cultural traditions, language, common history, and customs, often to do with your family background.  

  • RELIGION/BELIEF: You may practice a religion like Christianity, Hinduism, Islam or no belief or religion.  

  • DISSABILITIES: You could have a visible disability like use hearing aid, wheelchair or  hidden disability (non-visible) like autism, dyslexia, long term illness.  

Reflection

Today we learnt about human rights and identity. We learnt that everyone has human rights no matter who they are or where they live. They mean everyone has the right to be safe, to be kindly treated, to learn, to play, and to be listened to. 

Every one of us here is special and important. We might look different, like different games, foods, or colours, and that’s okay. Those differences help make the world more interesting and fun.  

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.

Crafting with younger sections

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.