Research by Children’s Research Centre underpins new Amnesty book

Research by The Open University Children’s Research Centre (OUCRC) was key to the evolution of a book on children’s rights published this month. ‘Know Your Rights and Claim Them’ has been authored by Angelina Jolie with Amnesty International and child rights lawyer Professor Geraldine Van Bueren QC, one of the original drafters of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Written for young people, the book explains child rights in clear and accessible language, sets out how they came into being and features guides on how to claim them, along with stories of incredible young activists who are at the forefront of human rights change around the world.

Nicky Parker, Literary Partnerships Lead at Amnesty International, recognised the importance of the OUCRC report’s findings, saying, “Huge thanks to The Open University Children’s Research Centre team for everything you did to produce the early research. The voices of those young people gave us the confidence and understanding to move forward with this book.”

‘Know Your Rights and Claim Them’ grew from an OUCRC report published in 2019 to mark the 30th anniversary of UNCRC. ‘Representing children’s rights from discussion through to illustration and interpretation’, is described as “a powerful piece of research that puts children and young people in the driving seat and illuminates the path we must follow in the decades to come”.  The report captured the views of children and young people aged four to 18 and focused on their understandings about their rights. The resulting themes included expression and difference; friendship; health and hygiene; education and learning; equality, fairness and diversity; and safety and protection.

Dr Liz Chamberlain, Senior Lecturer in Education (Primary) and lead academic of the OUCRC report, commented: “We’re delighted to see the publication of this new book by Amnesty. The children and young people who inspired the original research will be delighted that their ideas and insights were listened to and acted upon.”

Read the full story on OU News.

Newlands Primary School in Southampton were involved in the OUCRC’s report and Vickie Jones, Global Learning Manager at Newlands talks about the school’s involvement and collaboration with Amnesty International UK.

About the Children’s Research Centre
OUCRC sits within WELS School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport and aims to empower children and young people as active researchers, helping to disseminate their research findings and support a variety of outreach programmes.