Cubs and Beavers from 32nd Swansea (Rhyddings Park) Scout Group welcomed Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, to their meeting last month, to hear why children’s rights are so important.
The Commissioner explained how she helps children and young people across Wales find out about their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), as well as listening to the Cubs and Beavers about the issues that are important to them.
Through a series of fun games, which involved the children dressing up to represent different elements of her job, she explained how she ensures the decisions made by public bodies in Wales, including Welsh Government, consider the rights of children; how she helps ministers, head teachers, councils and judges to understand how important children’s rights are; and how she speaks up in the Welsh media for children and young people on important issues, as well and how she and her team can advise children, young people and those who care for them if they think they’ve been treated unfairly.
Chris Law, the Cub leader, who arranged the visit said: “As leaders we explain to the Cubs about their human rights and their rights as children – but to have the Children’s Commissioner come along to meet them really helps them to understand. It’s great to know Rocio is listening to the ideas and thoughts of children in Wales. They loved the opportunity to ask her questions and enjoyed taking part in the activity she organised. Equally, she was interested to hear more about Beavers and Cubs and the skills and opportunities it gives to young people, as well as how it’s all run by volunteers.”
Rocio said: “I really enjoyed my visit to the Cubs and Beavers group in Swansea. As Children’s Commissioner, one of the most important aspects of my job is meeting children and young people across Wales, learning about what matters to them, and helping them learn about their human rights. Cubs and Scouts groups can play an important role in giving children access to their rights, including their rights to spend time with friends in groups and clubs, and to learn a wide variety of important skills. I would encourage all Cubs and Beavers to keep learning about their rights and to get in touch with my team for any help or resources.”
Want to know more about children’s rights and the role of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales? Why not work towards your ScoutsCymru Rights Challenge Badge which explores the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the role of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales and the issues that matter to young people in Wales.
