Regional and International Children's Rights Law [2617]

General Information

• Credits: 3 ECTS
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Licence level (or equivalent); proficiency in French
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: French
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle 

Course Overview

This course presents the international and regional frameworks for promoting and protecting children’s rights, as well as the mechanisms designed to ensure their implementation. It begins by examining international instruments, foremost among them the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which marks the transition of the child from an object of law to a subject of rights and is based in particular on the principles of non-discrimination and the best interests of the child. It then explores the African and European regional systems and their principal protection instruments. Finally, the course analyses the implementation and monitoring of these standards through international and regional strategies, monitoring bodies and supervisory mechanisms. It highlights the cross-cutting nature of children’s rights and the essential role played by States, international and regional organisations, and civil society in ensuring their effective realisation.

Course Objectives

This course enables you to:

• Identify the main international instruments relating to children's rights and understand the fundamental principles enshrined in the CRC.
  
• Know the African and European regional frameworks for the protection of children's rights and their main legal instruments.
  
• Understand the articulation between the international and regional systems for the protection of children's rights.
  
• Analyse the mechanisms for implementing, supervising, monitoring and evaluating obligations relating to children's rights.
  
• Understand the role of States, monitoring bodies and civil society organisations in the effective realisation of children's rights.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Analyse a philosophical question by drawing on the methods of argumentation and critical thinking. 

Course Outline

Completion requirements 

Section 1: International Law on the Rights of the Child

Section 2: Regional Law on the Rights of the Child

Section 3: Implementation and Monitoring of International and Regional Law on the Rights of the Child

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone holding a Bachelor's degree or Licence (or an equivalent qualification) in law, the humanities, social sciences, theology, or a related field connected to human rights, or with significant personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written French is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Tara Collins, Rachel Grondin, Veronica Piñero, Marie Pratte et Marie-Claude Roberge (dir.), Droits de l’enfant. Actes de la Conférence internationale, Ottawa 2007, Montréal, Wilson & Lafleur, coll. « Bleue », 2008.
• Jean Le Gal, Les Droits de l’enfant à l’école, Bruxelles, De Boeck, 2008.
• Françoise Martinetti, Les Droits de l’enfant, Librio, 2002.
• Anne Lanchon, Les Droits des enfants, Flammarion, Père Castor, 2004.
• Mamoud Zani, La Convention internationale des droits de l’enfant : portée et limites, Publisud, 1996.