Press Release

19.11.2024

Working together for children’s rights: ARAG and UNICEF launch partnership

Long-term partnership supports UNICEF Children’s Rights Schools Program

On tomorrow’s World Children’s Day, the insurance group ARAG and UNICEF Germany are launching their long-term partnership. The cooperation aims to strengthen children’s rights in Germany. As part of the partnership, ARAG’s support will help to further expand UNICEF Germany’s Children’s Rights Schools program and integrate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into the German education system.

Every child has the right to an inclusive, equitable and high-quality education. However, there are also gaps in this respect in Germany: Not all children receive appropriate support and opportunities to participate. Disadvantaged children are often left behind and have fewer opportunities to engage in society.

The partnership between ARAG and UNICEF promotes the Children’s Rights Schools Program so that as many children as possible in Germany know and understand their rights. With this program, UNICEF Germany supports education ministries and schools in aligning their educational practices with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The aim is to anchor children’s rights sustainably and systematically in schools and to make knowledge about children’s rights and their realization part of the curriculum and school development process.

In a children’s rights school, children’s rights are learned, respected, protected and lived by the school community – children and adults alike. For example, schools develop participation formats with and for children such as student parliaments, children’s councils and future workshops. They also develop anti-discrimination concepts and introduce complaint formats for conflicts, violence and bullying. As a result, children experience their children’s rights school as a learning environment where their opinions are valued and their talents are encouraged. They learn to treat each other with respect and to take responsibility for themselves and others.

Christian Schneider, Managing Director of UNICEF Germany: “It is important that children become aware of their rights at an early age and learn to stand up for themselves and their rights. Where children’s rights are practiced, the development of social and communication skills is encouraged. The more schools integrate children’s rights into their structure and everyday life, the more children can grow into self-determined, democratically engaged citizens. We are very pleased and grateful to have ARAG as a strong partner to accompany and support us on this journey.”

“We are proud to be part of this important initiative and to contribute to making children’s rights become an integral part of the education system. Together with UNICEF, we want to help ensure that as many children as possible in Germany get a fair start in life and can fully develop their talents. As the world’s leading legal insurer, strengthening children’s rights is a key concern for us,” says Dr. Renko Dirksen, Speaker of the Board of Management of ARAG SE, explaining the reasons for the Düsseldorf-based insurance group’s commitment.

The Children’s Rights Schools program includes a seven-stage training for school and specialist staff, and certification is designed as an ongoing process over five years. The training combines digital learning content with activities in the schools. So far, the UNICEF program has been launched in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein – in close cooperation with local school and education ministries.

The partnership between ARAG and UNICEF will help establish the Children’s Rights Schools program in at least one additional federal state and to further strengthen the program in the existing federal states. In addition, the partnership will help to further develop the content of the digital learning platform and the e-learning modules, train additional trainers, educate contact persons in ministries and expand monitoring and evaluation processes.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was drawn up by the United Nations in 1989 and ratified by Germany in 1992. The Convention outlines the individual rights to which children are entitled worldwide. For example, every child has the right to life, healthcare, education and protection from violence and exploitation. Equally important is the consideration of a child’s will, freedom of expression and information, access to media, and ensuring freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

Printable photo of the cooperation for download. Please indicate “UNICEF/UNI604133/Etges” as photo credit when using.

Printable photo of the cooperation for download. Please indicate “UNICEF/UNI604425/Etges” as photo credit when using.

Printable photo of the cooperation for download. Please indicate “UNICEF/UNI604135/Etges” as photo credit when using.