The conference discussed three key areas in the life of children. The first was the subject of media and children, because the media profoundly influence the development and lives of children. Children and their parents must be aware of the current media and the risks associated with their content. This part of the conference included a workshop called “Safe Internet Roadmap for Parents”, which essentially implements a recommendation by the International Online Charter to educate parents, who can make a significant contribution to their children’s online safety.
The second theme was human rights education and child protection. Research shows that there is little understanding of children’s rights. However, in some schools and in the non-profit sector there are exemplary projects of non-formal human rights education. Examples include a project by Amnesty International and the human rights education presented at a workshop by Matěj Šefrna from the Litomyšl Post-Secondary Teaching College.
The third theme was positive education aimed at training children to be independent and responsible while respecting their own and other people’s personalities. The results of Czech studies showing that the opening of this topic had generated greater interest among parents in education, knowledge and awareness of positive education were presented. A workshop on Effective Parenting Step by Step, organised by the Brno Centre for Families, presented an example of a positive education course for parents.
In their conclusions, the conference delegates recommended that European countries should take into account, in their policies, the best interests of children and ensure respect for their rights, including the rights of children with disabilities, from minorities, or who are socially excluded. European countries should engage in a more intensive exchange of their experience of children's issues and establish the institution of a children's ombudsman. Awareness of children’s rights, positive parenting and the social skills of parents, together with media education of parents and children regarding safe access to modern media (television and the Internet) should be developed in society. Finally, they recommended close cooperation between the European Union and the Council of Europe in protecting and promoting children's rights and the establishment of policies relating to children.
The conclusions of the conference are available in attached file (pdf)
