AMI Support of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Wednesday 20th November 2019

On this day 30 years ago, The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted and opened for signature. AMI would like to take this opportunity to add our voice to the wide support for the Convention, as a recognition of the foundational work of Maria Montessori in support  of the rights of the child. Ahead of her time, Montessori called for the foundation of "a Ministry of Childhood" at the Montessori International Congress in 1936 and for a "Social Party of the Child". Montessori viewed the child as a capable citizen, whose rights should be taken into account within the wider society and should have a  voice.

The AMI declaration in support of the Convention will be accompanied by the Montessori Book for Children's Rights, produced by the children of the world, demonstrating what the different articles of the convention mean to them. 

We have created a campaign page that contains all the information about the Convention, how to participate, and much more. We are asking for your participation in the following:

1. We would like you to reach out to your key stakeholders in your region, including schools, NGOs, and regional and national education policy makers, to share with them the AMI statement in support of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

2. We would love you to share the request for contributions to the global Montessori book with teachers and schools you are connected with. An introductory video on the purpose and implications of the Convention can be accessed through the following link. The version of the Convention that we are working with is suitable for children of all ages and can be found here. All the information about the project can be found at esfforchildrensrights.com. Please feel free to share the link with your network.