Fridays for Future and Children's Rights

Born in Nottingham (UK) in 1988, Marianne Greenwell has spent much of her life working with children and young people, first encountering the field through work in schools and recreational clubs as a young person herself. After graduating with a BA (Hons) in German Studies and Media from the University of Brighton in 2011, her language skills led her to Berlin where, after a period of voluntary service, she began working in the area of circus pedagogy as a freelance circus trainer for children and young people. Marianne’s circus practice involved working with children and young people of all ages — as well as adults — in a variety of different social, cultural and professional contexts. She has worked with a great number of different circus organisations including the social circus division of Cirque du Soleil, and Cirque du Monde. Marianne’s work in the circus sector led her in 2017 to undertake a Master’s programme in Childhood Studies and Children’s Rights. During her time in the programme she explored many different areas of children’s rights, developing a particular interest in topics connected to children and young people’s voice, political participation rights, and children’s rights in relation to education and schooling. Marianne Greenwell graduated in the summer of 2019 and currently lives with her wife in Berlin.

Introduction

Literature Review
Fridays for Future – origins, demographic, structure, aims
Fridays for Future – reception
Fridays for Future and children’s rights
Article 2 – Non-discrimination
Article 3 – Best interests of the child
Article 6 – Right to life survival and development
Article 12 – Respect for the views of the child
The right to education, compulsory schooling, and conflicting rights
‘Absent’ children’s rights?
Children’s political participation rights
Intergenerational justice
Discourse ‘childhood’
A short example – movements of working children

Research questions

Research methodology
Research context and participants
Research methods
Ethics considerations
Research limitations

Results
Evaluation of reactions
“Now we are the experts”
“Abandoning school for rights”
“Do ‘good politicians’ exist?” — mistrust in politicians and politics
Potential for change
“We really want to change something […] we won’t let ourselves be intimidated”
“We won’t stop protesting until a lot has changed”
“I hope we can talk the majority around” — elements of doubt
“Children should be able to participate more in society”
Suggestions
From not dropping litter to new political visions
Whatever you do, do something
“I’m not going to walk to Spain, am I?” – Contradictory results?

Discussion
Reacting to politicians’ statements – claiming rights and the importance of civil disobedience
The future paradigm – a potential common denominator?
Intergenerational justice in light of FFF and suggestions from participants
Political participation to level the playing field?
Critique, contribution to research & further research

Conclusion

References

Abstract (Deutsch)