Child Rights and Resilience

1 or 1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course is part of a suite of elective courses offered in partnership with the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues (Office of the VP for Global Engagement) open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Though there is no required sequence, you may wish to take 4101, 4103, or 4103 along with 4100, to get more comprehensive preparation for engaging with children and youth globally. Course Description This class explores experiences of children and childhood around the world, particularly common challenges that children in adversity face, and how children’s protection and resilience can be promoted in both development and humanitarian settings. More than half of the global population is under the age of 30. It is the biggest child and youth population in history, with 90 percent living in less developed countries and disproportionately affected by poverty, poor health, climate change, violence, conflict, exclusion and other adverse experiences. More children are on the move than ever before, with nearly 40 percent of the 100 million displaced persons worldwide under the age of 18. Child marriage rates have increased to their highest level in 25 years. More than half of the world’s young people experience physical, emotional, and sexual violence, with increasing numbers affected by online abuse. Children bear the brunt of these difficulties in their daily lives, yet their unique needs are often not prioritized in policy and practice. The evidence shows that investing in children, youth, and caregivers across the life-course is a primary means of achieving sustainable human, social, and economic development, all of which are vital to ensuring international peace and security. Additionally, involving children and youth as partners in problem-solving, development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding efforts contributes to economic growth, democratic progress, and social stability. This course will help students understand major child protection violations like child marriage, child labor, family-child separation, violence, and lack of nurturing care, as well as responses to strengthen child protection and child well-being.