On "International Children's Rights Day", the birthday of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted in 1989, the Fairtrade Saarpfalz district, the Fairtrade City of Homburg and the Homburg UNICEF team once again planted a "Tree for Children's Rights", this time on the school grounds of the Siebenpfeiffer School in Homburg-Erbach. The tree is intended to symbolically strengthen the rights of children and young people and thus set the course for a sustainable and more child-friendly world.
This year's planting emphasises the right of every child to freedom of expression and information - Article 13 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Siebenpfeifer School, a special school for learning in the Saarpfalz district, was selected in this context. "Children have the right to be informed, have a say and say what they think on all issues that affect them," said Roswitha Hüther from the UNICEF Homburg team on Article 13 during the event.
As the topic of "democracy" in honour of the school's namesake and the implementation of co-determination is a particular concern of the school management, the school community voted on which tree should be planted. They chose a tulip tree, which produces an interesting yellow-green blossom and beautiful autumn colours.
"Thank you for not forgetting us, the special schools. Let us see this tree not just as a gift, but as a symbol of our shared commitment to the rights of all children, especially children with individual needs. Only when children's rights are upheld can a protected framework be created in which self-efficacy and democracy can be tested," emphasised deputy head teacher Christian Kopp when welcoming the guests.
The fact that Children's Rights Day is something special at the school was demonstrated by the performances at the planting event. Firstly, pupils from years one to three performed a short play together with their class teacher Irina Pape, which told the story of how a tree is formed, the animals in the immediate vicinity and the seasons. The children took part enthusiastically, miming a sturdy tree and dressing up as the sun, rain, a bird or a hedgehog. Afterwards, the pupils of class 3/4, together with class teacher Barbara Dambauer and subject teacher Julia Schwartz, launched an attempt to save the forest. What if trees could talk and shouted "ouch" every time humans dropped their rubbish...? In an impressive play scene, three trees taught the forest visitors to keep order and not to dispose of their rubbish there.
School spokeswoman Finja Weish also spoke a few words on the topic of children's rights, leading on to twelve children's wishes presented by the class spokespersons from Years 1 to 10. These included, for example, the wish that all children in the world could grow up peacefully without war. The wish for the right to health and clean drinking water was expressed. Another wish was for all children to have a great life and happiness, and much more.
The children and young people then wrote down their wishes on handmade sheets of paper and attached them to the tulip tree that Benedict Birger Haberer (Saarpfalz district) had already planted in the ground.
District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo was impressed by the experience: "I am delighted that today's day of remembrance was so colourful and entertaining as well as profound. Children need protection. This day is all the more valuable for reminding us of this. Article 13 of the Children's Rights Act reminds us that children have the right to express their opinions and feelings verbally, in writing, through painting or in any other form. At the same time, they have a right to information in a form appropriate to their age. We adults must be able to listen and provide answers. This is exactly what I want to achieve in my 'District Administrator goes to school' series, in which I have repeatedly been here at the Siebenpfeiffer School," explained District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo on behalf of the Fairtrade Saarpfalz district and thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event, especially the pupils who took part. "We should actually be aware of children's rights every day and act accordingly," said the District Administrator.
Last but not least, the dry, sunny weather and the Fairtrade chocolate bars that the District Administrator handed out at the end of the event put everyone in a very good mood.