European University of Lefke (EUL) Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Education, Department of Preschool Education, Instructor Asst. Prof. Dr. Azize Ummanel made statements about “World Children’s Rights”.

Ummanel said, “Raising individuals who are aware of their rights, democratic, critical thinking, respectful to themselves, society and different cultures is only possible with education starting from childhood.” She stated that the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which entered into force thirty years ago, are based on the child’s right to participate in the public sphere, without discrimination against children, by taking into account the best interests of the child, with the awareness that every child has the right to live and develop.

“We must not forget that children have the right to express themselves and have their own voices heard.”

In the continuation of her statement Ummanel said “Discrimination among children by considering variables such as language, religion, race, gender, place of birth, socio-economic level may be unfair for them, and it will also cause them to become discriminatory and marginalizing individuals in the future. The adoption of a democratic attitude by teachers in the classrooms, especially starting from the pre-school period, and treating the child with a democratic approach within the family will ensure the development of such concepts and will result in the reflection of these behaviors on society in the future. This democratic understanding should consider their best interests. Especially in this period when the media is very active in our daily life, we need to avoid any kind of behavior that may harm them in news or posts about children. This approach will cause them to show the same sensitivity towards children in the future. On the other hand, starting from the point that every child has the right to life and self-development, we should not forget that children have the right to express themselves and have their own voices heard. Children who question, think critically and have their voices heard will have a say in our society and will turn into individuals working for the benefit of society. In this context, it should give children the opportunity to make their voices heard at all levels of education; We should also support children to express their opinions in other public spheres. If we give the opportunity as adults, children can show and develop themselves in every field, ” she said.

“Children whose voices we hear, listen to, discuss their views with turn us into a democratic and prudent society.”

“We adults will have a society in the future as we treat children,” Ummanel said. The children we act violently imprison us in a violent society, and the children we are unfair with imprison us in an unfair world. Children whose voices we hear, listen to and discuss their views with turn us into a democratic and prudent society ”.