We have been learning about the Dignity of the Human Person which is one of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Today we looked at the five of the articles from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The five articles were:
- All rights are important, and are the same for children everywhere! (The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.)
- We have the right to grow up free, safe and healthy. (The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.)
- We have the right to a name and nationality. (The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.)
- We have the right to have somewhere to live, to healthy food, and medicine when we are unwell. ( The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care. The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.)
- We have the right to get special help if we are disabled in any way. (The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.)
In your opinion, which one of these is the most important? Why?