By Denny MacGee
A Renfrewshire school boy has become the voice of children’s rights in Scotland with an innovative new animation.
Sebastian Vosloo, a pupil at St Fillan’s Primary School in Houston, has given his voice to an educational film that aims to promote the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child in Scotland.
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The six year old takes on the role of a cartoon character who explains the rights of youngsters in an accessible way.
Aimed at children in primaries one to four, the video has been created by Paisley charity I Am Me in partnership with London-based animator Alex Amelines.
The film has already been hailed a success, with Bruce Adamson, the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People, describing it as one of the best animations on the rights of the child that he has ever seen.
Carol Burt-Wilson MBE, founder and project manager of I am Me, said the charity is already working on a second animation aimed at older children.
She said: “Sebastian has been an amazing narrator for the new children’s rights animation and has helped ensure that children across Scotland will know about their rights.
“We are looking forward to continuing our work with children and young people to further develop the new accessible and interactive educational platform which provides lessons and activities about disabilities, prejudice-based bullying and hate crime.
“The charity hopes to secure some funding to make these fantastic resources available to all schools and groups across Scotland.”
The UNCRC is an international human rights treaty that covers all aspects of children’s lives; it includes civil, economic, political and civil rights.
In March, MSPs unanimously voted the UNCR into the law in Scotland.
The I Am Me animation about the UNCRC Scotland is part of a suite of materials produced by the Paisley-based charity designed to raise awareness of issues such as difference, bullying, and hate crime affecting children and young people in Scotland.
A second animated film, aimed at school pupils in primaries five, six and seven is currently in production with students from the University of the West of Scotland.
It will be available to schools and other children’s organisations later this year.
Scotland became the first devolved nation in the world to directly incorporate the UNCRC into domestic law.
Its actions are however now being challenged by the UK Government which states the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill would affect the UK Parliament’s ability to legislate for Scotland.
The Supreme Court heard the case in June and a judgement is expected later.
You can watch the animation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUCSeD2i278&feature=youtu.be
To learn more about I Am Me Scotland website, head to their website at https://iammescotland.co.uk/
