Co-Designing Child Rights and Safeguarding Educational Experiences for Pre-Service Teachers and Caregivers in Vulnerable Populations
Oral Presentation Time: 1600-1700
Venue: Peony Room, Lower Level II
Presenter(s)
– Dr Pui Pui Phoebe CHEUNG, Assistant Professor (Occupational Therapy), Academic Team, Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
– Dr Anna Aracelly OLGUIN, Assistant Professor, Academic Team, Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
Abstract
The United Nation Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC 1989) ensures the right of all children to have their basic needs taken care of, to be protected at all times, and to participate in decisions that will affect their lives. Unfortunately, millions of children around the world are deprived of these rights. As countries adopt, adapt, and uphold Child’s Rights and Protection protocols, there is a palpable need for information. Practices such as mandated reporting, enacted as law in some Western countries since the 1960’s, are now making their way to places in Hong Kong and teachers will be accountable to report. This presentation has dual objectives. One is to understand pre-service teachers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding child rights and protection pre and post course taking utilizing a co-design thinking approach. The second objective is to share information about a project aiming at co-constructing a culturally relevant Child’s Rights and Protection educational framework with parents who are Ethnic Minorities and/or parents of Special Education Needs children. From these perspectives, the knowledge and attitudes about child rights & protection among the preservice teachers and the voice of the caregivers are of immense importance towards the wellbeing of children in vulnerable populations.