JSM - Edition Two

A ustralia N eeds T o I ntake M ore C hild R efugees A letter to P rime M inister M alcolm T urnbull - continued With many of these great programs in place locally and nationally, Australia is already prepared to take on more refugees. Many of these refugees will be able to offer our great country skills that will help our nation grow. They may start businesses that employ Australians or they may get jobs and pay taxes. They may become teachers, doctors, nurses or police officers. These refugees can benefit Australia and we can become a better nation by opening our hearts and allowing them in to stay. However, If we don’t let more child refugees into our country, we will be ignoring the manuscript on Rights of a Child and I feel that we are not contributing all we can to solve this global problem. I have learnt that the manuscript is used for a variety of reasons such as keeping children safe and healthy. The document allows children to have the things they require in order to grow into healthy adults. This document shows adults what children need and most importantly, that all children around the world should have access to these rights. In the past, children were considered as ‘small adults’ (they can and should do what adults do). I believe this is not true because children are not as developed as adults and they need special care to help them survive. In France (1841) laws were created to protect children in the workplace and give them an education. This was during the industrial revolution. In the 20th Century, laws started to be spread across Europe; children had rights to medical care after World War II. Now, UNICEF helps children around the world to ensure that they live the happiest and healthiest lives they can. During my research, I have learnt the following about the manuscript on Rights of a Child: • (Article 7) Children have the right to a legally registered name and nationality. Children also have the right to know their parents and as far as possible, to be cared for by them. • (Article 8) Governments should respect the child’s right to a name, a nationality and family ties. • (Article 11) Governments should take steps to stop children being taken out of their country illegally.

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JSM Edition Two