Why does OMEP promote education for peace and human rights in early childhood?
Introduction
The World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) is an NGO founded in 1948 operating in almost 80 countries that works to defend Human Rights of girls and boys since they are born until they are eight years of age (Early childhood). OMEP advocates for early childhood education and care as a right and a tool to attain other rights: integral development, citizenship, wellbeing, and dignity for all the girls and boys in the world.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
One of OMEP’s foundational pillars guiding our policies and global work.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, or as it is commonly called, the Child Rights Convention (CRC), is a legally binding international agreement signed by 196 countries. The CRC states that children are individuals with their own rights.
The Four Core Principles
The CRC consists of 54 articles, but there are four articles that describe basic principles that must always be taken into account in matters concerning children:
Equality & Worth
All children have the same rights and equal worth.
Best Interests
The best interests of the child shall be taken into account in all decisions concerning children.
Life & Growth
All children have the right to life and development.
Views & Respect
All children have the right to express their views and to have them respected.
OMEP’s Direct Contribution
OMEP participated in the work of developing the Convention on the Rights of the Child and has also been involved in writing some of the General Comments, which are advice on how the articles in the Convention should be interpreted. Some of these are of special interest for OMEP:
- GC 7Implementing child rights in early childhood (2005)
- GC 12Child Participation (2009)
- GC 17Right to play (2013)
Adoption & Global Status
The CRC was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 2 0 November 1989.
Ratification Exception
It is the most ratified of all UN Conventions.
Only the United States of America has not
ratified the CRC.
Carry Out Child Consequence Analyses
In all decisions affecting children, the best interests of the child must be taken into account first and foremost.
What is it? A child consequence analysis is a method of assessing the consequences of a decision for the individual child or for a group of children. It should be undertaken before a decision is made. The analysis aims to ensure that children's rights are included in decision-making in all decisions related to children.
The Committee Reviews National Reports
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is an international committee whose task is to monitor that the CRC is effectively respected in the countries that have ratified it.
- Review Cycle: Every five years, the UN reviews how member states are complying with the articles of the CRC.
- Headquarters: The review is carried out by the Committee based at UN headquarters in Geneva, where OMEP has permanent representation.
- Outcome Document: The review is documented as Concluding Observations to each country’s report, decided after discussions and a meeting between the committee and country representatives.
Committee Structure & Composition (Article 43:2)
Optional Protocols
The Committee on CRC can make additions to the CRC to clarify certain aspects of children’s rights. They are called Optional Protocols. Today there are three optional protocols:
- On the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (2000)
- On the involvement of children in armed conflict (2000)
- On a communications procedure (2011)
Upcoming Protocol in Development
GENEVA • SEPTEMBER 2026A fourth Optional Protocol is on its way, led by an open-ended intergovernmental working group. It is of high interest to OMEP as it aims to explicitly recognize:
- A right to early childhood care and education.
- A right to free public pre-primary education, beginning with at least one year.
- A right to free public secondary education.
1. Building a Solid Foundation for the Future
OMEP recognizes that early years experiences are fundamental for emotional, social and cognitive development. Instilling values of peace and respect for human rights at this stage helps to establish a solid foundation for building more just and peaceful societies in the future.
2. Comprehensive Child Development
Education for peace and human rights not only promotes peaceful coexistence, but also supports the comprehensive development of the child, including emotional, social and ethical aspects. OMEP understands that these are essential components for the holistic development of boys and girls.
3. Promotion of Social Justice and Equity
OMEP works to ensure that all children, regardless of their origin, gender or socioeconomic status, have access to an education that prepares them to be active and responsible citizens. The promotion of peace and human rights from early childhood is essential to reduce inequalities and promote social justice.
4. Resilience in the Face of Violence and Discrimination
By educating young children in peace and human rights, OMEP seeks to strengthen their ability to resist and confront situations of violence and discrimination. The organization understands that a childhood educated in these values will be more likely to reject violence and promote the appreciation of differences and mutual respect.
5. Fulfillment of International Commitments
OMEP aligns itself with international commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4.7, which calls on States to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to promote sustainable development, including education for peace and human rights.
6. Educator Preparation and Learning Environments
OMEP works to train early childhood educators and to create learning environments that support education in peace and human rights. The organization believes that well-prepared educators and inclusive and respectful environments are crucial to the success of this mission.
OMEP is committed to creating a world where children’s
rights are respected and where peace is a lived reality from early childhood.
OMEP - World Organization for Early Childhood Education
The Aim of the Project
The aim of the Project is to let children show us how they feel, understand and express their feelings about their rights through art.
It is well known that artistic expression is a common non-verbal language for all, without exclusion or discrimination. It is a way of communication among all people, no matter the age, the culture, the country of living, the religion, above all it is children's right to express themselves through art.
Endorsement & History
The Colour Your Rights project was endorsed during the meeting for World Projects at the OMEP World Assembly in Panama, July 2019. It was a proposal of the OMEP Cyprus Committee and connected with the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Project Deliverables
Featuring the children’s artistic contributions.