The group of nine young people from Cardinal Newman, St Ambrose, Willowbank and Clyde Valley High schools developed, created and appeared in the multi-media 'Make it Right' campaign.  

The campaign urges other young people to know about their rights and for adults and public sector organisations to help safeguard their rights. 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) covers all aspects of a child’s life and set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children everywhere are entitled to.  

It’s the most widely ratified treaty in the world and its 54 articles take into account the best interests of children and explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights. 

The campaign follows research which found that although 96% of young people in North Lanarkshire said they knew children had rights, 38% said they knew nothing at all about UNCRC. 

And 41% said they didn’t think the adults in their life knew anything about children’s rights. 

The new campaign will be seen on social media, outdoor billboards and other digital platforms and features the young people themselves, including a specific video campaign to ‘pass on’ the children’s rights message using #makeitright. 

James, one of the members of the group, said: "The billboard looks brilliant and people have been getting in touch saying they saw me and asking me about the campaign."

 The initiative was developed through the North Lanarkshire Children’s Partnership and the council’s Future Fridays programme 

Councillor Sandy Watson, Chair of the North Lanarkshire Children’s Partnership, said: “When we heard about this research, we wanted to do something to make sure more young people knew they had rights through the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child – and importantly, what those rights are. 

“Through Future Fridays we’ve had the opportunity to create a campaign to promote children’s rights. We’ve been meeting at Summerlee Heritage Museum most Fridays to work on this with staff from the council’s communication and Youth Work departments.” 

Councillor Frank McNally, Convener of Education and Families added: “The work by the young people involved in this project is simply outstanding. 

“It’s raised an important issue in that we as partners, must ensure that we do everything we can to promote and support children’s rights every day, as we deliver services to people and communities across North Lanarkshire. “ 

The campaign sets out to raise awareness of some of the rights young people have such as the right to be heard, the right to play and the right to be cared for.  

Alison Gordon, Head of Children, Families and Justice Social Work Services, added: “The young people have worked together to create a really great campaign. 

“The social and economic effects of the pandemic remind us all that many human rights issues have a huge impact on children and when it comes to issues that directly affect them, their voices are rarely heard or listened to. This campaign aims to address these issues and helps to ensure that we all recognise, respect, support and promote children’s rights.”  

For further information visit:  www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/childrensrights