How Movies that Matter Puts Children’s Rights in the Spotlight Every Year

If you ask a student what children’s rights actually are, the conversation will often begin with a hesitant “um, how do you say that…” or a simple “well, just, rights for children!” And that’s not surprising, since we don’t talk about abstract concepts like rights and treaties every day. Although we don’t often discuss children’s rights in everyday life, children do encounter them daily: from going to school, being with family, and playing sports, to having an opinion on matters that concern them. That’s why it’s all the more important for us to pause and celebrate children’s rights in a big way!

Children’s rights are laws and regulations set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This international document, established in 1989 and signed by nearly every country in the world, contains 54 articles aimed at safeguarding children’s protection. It’s important for children to know what their rights are, as this makes them aware of their own rights and those of others. It promotes social skills, such as empathy and understanding for others, while also teaching them to take responsibility for their actions. By educating children about their rights, we contribute to a just and equal society and a future where respect for human rights is second nature. It equips them with tools to actively advocate for themselves, others, and the world around them.

Film captures the imagination and offers the chance to stand in someone else’s shoes. That’s why we use film to raise children’s awareness of their rights and inspire them to take action.

During our educational screenings in cinemas, we watch films with children in which children’s rights are featured and discuss these afterwards in the cinema hall. A professional moderator leads the discussion, talks with the students about various statements, and provides space for questions, for instance to the protagonist of the film. In this way, we aim to broaden their worldview and normalise diversity.

Would you also like to focus on children’s rights in the classroom? Below you’ll find some tips for an educational screening in the cinema or for a film in the classroom.

Please note: currently, all our educational programmes and teaching materials are in Dutch. We are exploring the possibility of offering screenings and aftertalks in English during our festival for International Schools in the Netherlands. If you are interested, please fill out this survey or contact us at educatie@moviesthatmatter.nl.

To guide discussions on sensitive topics effectively in the classroom, we advise teachers to let students establish their own ground rules for conversation, so that these are supported by the group.