Violence against children is never justifiable. Nor is it inevitable.
If its underlying causes are identified and addressed, violence against children is
entirely preventable.
(Kofi Annan)
Based on Art 19 and 29 of the Convention for the Rights of the Child children have the right to non-violent education, peace education and universal violence prevention on all levels of education and upbringing. Covering “years of extreme vulnerability and tremendous potential, during which adequate protection, care and stimulation are essential to provide the foundations for the child’s well-being and development" Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) needs to ensure provision of effective and sustainable approaches to peace education and violence prevention particularly in compulsory kindergarten education. Kindergartens shall be places where children can experience dignity, value, practical meaning and benefits of non-violence in their everyday life.
NonViolent Education (NVE) is part of IFOR´s Non-Violence Education and Training Programme (NVETP) aiming at sustainably implement non-violent education, peace education and violence prevention in kindergartens. Förderverein Kinder, Jugend und Kultur Grenzach-Wyhlen e.V., a local NGO is the supporting partner-organisation.
NVE cooperates with researchers, practitioners, institutions and individuals contributing to frameworks and implementation of kindergarten education on international, national and local levels. We would like to contribute to innovation in this important field of education and to synergies from international, national and local cooperation of those responsible for policy and provision of kindergarten education.
NVE promotes consequent implementation of Art 19 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in compulsory kindergarten education by
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 19
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social pro-grammes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.
Article 29
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
(a) The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential;
(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
(c) The development of respect for the child's parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own;
(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin;
(e) The development of respect for the natural environment.
2. No part of the present article or article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principle set forth in paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.