A collaborative training session, co-facilitated by Arthur who is a passionate Cardiff Youth Council member, was recently held for early years specialists who work in Flying Start nursery settings.
Arthur is an active Cardiff Youth Council member and Children’s Rights expert who has worked extensively with organisations who champion children’s rights, including but not limited to: UNICEF UK, Children in Wales, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Child Friendly Cardiff.
This bespoke training aimed to integrate the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into nursery settings, with a particular emphasis on article 12 which outlines respecting the views of the child. Practical ways to ensure that even our youngest citizens feel their voices matter were introduced. Through the training delivery and activities, we wanted the attendees to feel empowered and leave feeling confident about how they would create environments where the thoughts and feelings of 2 and 3-year-olds are actively sought and valued.
Having a young person deliver this training was extremely powerful and attendees approached Arthur afterwards to share how inspiring it was to see a young person engage in this work. It highlighted the vital role young people can play in championing children’s rights but also sets a precedent for meaningful engagement with these rights in educational settings.
