Youth environmental movements, actively raising their voices around the world, send a clear message: the young generations are not only environmentally-conscious, but also determined to defend their rights and preserve the only planet we have. Their call expresses the need to recognise the many links between a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and children’s rights to be heard and participate.

Existing and developing principles and standards, together with recent advances such as UN resolutions, reports and summits or civil society campaigns and calls for legal accountability and redress seem to be a step in the ‘right’ direction and provide an empowering context for initiatives organised by children to defend their environmental rights. However, questions still remain: how many children proactively make use of human rights standards in their action against environmental damage? How can we build on the movement initiated by young climate activists to recognise children as direct agents of change? How can climate action be organised, sustained and deployed in a way that upholds children’s rights and the effective participation of children?

This MOOC asks children’s rights experts, environment specialists, human rights scholars and young climate activists to examine concepts, standards and practices of rights-based participation of children in environmental matters. Through free and open access to current knowledge and debates, the course speaks to a worldwide audience - and young people specifically - to inform those who are seeking human rights guidance, encourage those who are curious to know more, support those who are already acting, and ultimately boost effective change

Course Outline

The MOOC runs over 6 weeks and is organised in 3 modules:

• Module 1 Module 1 is an introduction to children’s rights and the environment, with a focus on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its articles related to both child participation and the environment.
• Module 3 deals with child participation and action in environmental matters and looks at the role of children as agents of change and as rights-holders in climate litigation.

Lecturers and Experts

Drawing extensively from recent debates organised by the UN Global Study Team with high-level stakeholders as well as experts, lecturers and students of the 7 Regional Master’s Programmes of the GC, the MOOC offers a wealth of specialised knowledge and examples, enabling participants to benefit from rich and varied competences. Course materials include testimonies from the following lecturers and experts (read bios here):

Designed by the Global Campus of Human Rights E-Learning Department in cooperation with renowned lecturers and experts, including Right Livelihood Laureates, the MOOC features relevant actors from a multitude of perspectives on the topic, ranging from children’s rights specialists to environment experts, from representatives of UN bodies and international organisations to young climate activists.

Maude Barlow

Right Livelihood Laureate

David R. Boyd

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment

Victor Karunan

Right Livelihood College

Laura Lundy

Queen’s University Belfast

Raul Montenegro

Right Livelihood Laureate

Luisa Neubauer

Fridays For Future

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge about key international standards, documents, initiatives and recommendations on children’s rights in relation to the environment

Understanding of progress and obstacles in the implementation of such standards

Ability to identify multi-faceted aspects of current debates on child participation and climate action

Capacity to discuss specific issues and cases of concern from a theoretical and practical perspective

Awareness of multiple avenues for children and young people to act, demand accountability and redress, and support rights-based changes in the fight against environmental harm

F.A.Q.s

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Enrolment

How do I enrol in the course?

In order to enrol, please follow the instructions on our “How to Enrol” webpage. This will then lead you to the OpenEdX course page. Once you are there, you can start the enrolment process by clicking the "enrol" button.

Is there a selection procedure to participate in the course?

The course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means we do not select participants on any basis. Rather, we welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic to enrol and participate for free.

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Fees

I would like to know if the course is free or if some parts are to be paid

Our course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means all components are open and totally free for anyone.

Do I need to pay any fee to attend the course?

There are no registration or tuition fees. The certificate of participation is also free and offered to all those who successfully complete all the course requirements (see below for details on the certificate).

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Accessibility

Is the course accessible to persons with disabilities?

We want all participants in our courses to enjoy a great learning experience and we strive to always improve accessibility. Each week of the course includes one or two video lectures with accompanying transcripts and reading materials. The texts are in PDF format, work at low bandwidths, are printable and can be zoomed to the desired size. Some readings may include pages from accessible websites. This makes all of them accessible to those who use assistive technology software such as screen readers. Likewise, weekly discussions and module quizzes can be completed through our platform which is accessible, for example, to people who use speech input, keyboard accessible controls or text to speech tools. For more details please visit EdX Website Accessibility Policy.

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Structure and content

Is there a schedule for the course or is it self-directed?

The course is self-paced so participants can study in their own time.

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Certificate of completion

What does it mean “Audit-only”? Will I get a certificate?

Auditors can complete any or all the parts of the course at their own pace, but will not receive a certificate. Participants who want proof of completion can simply print the progress chart that they will find in their course page.

I am not interested in a certificate. Can I still audit the course?

Yes. All our courses can be audited for free. If you audit a course, you can participate in any or all activities and quizzes and complete them, but you will not receive a certificate. Do you still want some proof of participation? You can simply print the progress chart that you will find in your course page.