A Special Two-day Workshop for Teachers to be held February 25 and March 18, 2006.

Saturday, February 25, 2006
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Crescent Heights Language Arts
Social Justice Magnet
Los Angeles, CA

UCLA International Institute African Studies Center presents two teaching training sessions.

Children's Rights as Human Rights will explore the impact of conflict and poverty on the basic human rights of children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by all nations except the United States and Somalia, spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. However, children across the globe are routinely denied their childhood as those entrusted with their care frequently expose them to human rights abuses. As a result, millions have no access to education, work long hours in fields and factories, are forced to become soldiers, and languish in orphanages and detention centers where they are forced to endure inhumane conditions and daily assaults on their dignity.

The sessions will be in two parts with morning breakout sessions just for teachers focusing on specific topics led by invited experts. In the afternoon, educators will attend a panel discussion. LAUSD credit available (pending LAUSD approval)

Session I: Children's Rights as Human Rights: Childhood Lost

Date: 9am - 5pm Saturday, February 25, 2006

Venue: Crescent Heights Language Arts - Social Justice Magnet

Session I will explore how the debt crisis and HIV/AIDS have undermined childhood. Debt payments siphon millions of dollars from education, healthcare, and other services that are critical to a child's development, undermining a child's chances of survival.

Consider this:
- Africa, in 1970 owed just under $11 billion. By 2002, it was $295 billion.
- Of the $540 billion in debt owed, $550 billion has been paid in both principal and interest over the last 30-years, yet there is still a $523 billion dollar debt burden.

Session II: Children's Rights as Human Rights: Children in War Zones

Date: 9am - 5pm Saturday, March 18, 2006

Venue: UCLA

Session II will examine the impact of conflict on children. Participants will explore the child soldier phenomena and how violence denies children their right to an education, health care and even the basic right to survival.

Consider this:
- In Africa, up to 100,000 children are estimated to be involved in armed conflict.
- Most of these child soldiers are between the ages of 14 and 18.
- The youngest child soldiers are about 7 years old.
- Girl soldiers are frequently subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence.

For information & to register contact:
Phone: 310-825-3686
E-mail: africa@international.ucla.edu

Please pass this information along to any teachers you think would be interested in attending. Afternoon sessions are being organized that will be open to the public. Please check our website for public panel discussions on these topics on Feb. 25 and Mar. 18.

James S. Coleman African Studies Center
310-825-3686
africa@international.ucla.edu

www.international.ucla.edu/africa

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center, UCLA International Institute