A dream named Sitnitsa

 

Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of society, to enjoy the arts, to participate in scientific progress and to benefit from its achievements.

The flourishing of cultural diversity requires the full implementation of cultural rights as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

All people have the right to express themselves and to create and distribute their work; they have the right to participate in the cultural life of their choice and to conduct their own cultural practices, while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Preventing or making it difficult for certain groups of people – people with low incomes, people with disabilities or people from minorities – to gradually benefit from their economic, social, educational and cultural rights – has consequences for the general well-being of people and communities and for the preservation of their identities . And any limitation of aspects of their cultural identity that are in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, along with economic and social inequalities, can become a cause of social exclusion.

Author: Viktoria Damyanova, student from the city of Montana

Reflection Questions:

1. What are the opportunities for participation in cultural life in your city?

2. What factors facilitate participation in creative activities?

3. Do people from minority groups have their own creative centers, clubs and places to develop their cultural identity?

Social media abuse

Authors: students from G.Delchev

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and personal safety and security.”

Art. 29. of the Constitution of Bulgaria states: 1) No one shall be subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or forced assimilation.

This also applies to all forms of abuse and harassment. Online bullying is abuse that occurs on the Internet. This can happen on any device that is connected to the network, such as computers, tablets and mobile phones. And it can happen anywhere in cyberspace, including social media, online gaming, chat, or other text messages.

It is repetitive behavior intended to intimidate, anger, or embarrass victims. Includes spreading lies or posting indecent pictures of someone on social media; send abusive messages or threats through the messaging platforms; as well as sending malicious messages impersonating other people.

Reflection Questions:

  • What are the different forms of online bullying?
  • What legislation in the country deals with online bullying and what protection does it give victims?
  • What security measures can be implemented to avoid the risk of online bullying?

Dreamy summer holiday

According the art.4 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, States Parties undertake to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability. To this end, States Parties  take into account the protection and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities in all policies and programmes.

People with disabilities have to enjoy the same rights like  all other citizens. Everybody has the rights to happiness and realisation of his dreams. These photos show people with mental and phisycal disabilities during their summer holiday by the sea. Something that is rarely seen on our beaches.

Author: Kaloyan Velichkov, 7th grade, 2nd Secondary School “D.Blagoev”, Blagoevgrad

Reflection questions:

1/ Which national legislation refers to the rights of people with disabilities?

2/  What are the main obstacles to integration of people with disabilities in the society?

 

More photos from this author:

    

On the outskirts of town

Environment and waste management

Life among a large amount of waste is almost taken for granted in Roma neighborhoods. The direct causes are poor infrastructure, lack of regulation and unregulated accumulation of waste in the living environment of people from Roma neighborhoods. Poor waste management threatens the health of people, including children, who get used to this environment  – their plays and childhood are spent in it.

Author: Ioana Velichkova, 12th grade student, EG “Acad. L.Stoyanov” from Blagoevgrad

Reflection questions:

1/ Which international and national documents refer to waste management and ensuring a clean living environment for the population?

2/ Which provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child apply to children who live in a polluted environment?

More photos from the Roma neighborhood in the city of Blagoevgrad:

             

Childhood in the Roma neighbourhood – 5

According to international and national law, children have the right to the best possible standard of living that meets the needs of their physical, mental and spiritual development. These photographs show the reality of the life of children in the Roma neighborhood in the city of Blagoevgrad.

Author: Ioana Velichkova, 12th grade student, EG “Acad. L. Stoyanov” from Blagoevgrad

 

         

Childhood in the Roma neighbourhood – 4

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two optional protocols have been ratified by the Republic of Bulgaria and, according to the Constitution, constitute part of the country’s internal law.

According to international and national law, children have the right to the best possible standard of living that meets the needs of their physical, mental and spiritual development. These photographs show the reality of the life of children in the Roma neighborhood in the city of Blagoevgrad.

Author: Ioana Velichkova, 12th grade student, EG “Acad. L. Stoyanov” from Blagoevgrad

Childhood in the Roma neighbbourhood – 3

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

States parties to the Convention recognize the right of every child to a standard of living that meets the needs of his physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.States parties to the convention, in accordance with national conditions and within their capabilities, take the necessary measures to assist parents and other persons responsible for the child to exercise this right and, in case of need, provide material assistance and support programs, especially regarding food, clothing and housing. (Article 27)

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two optional protocols have been ratified by the Republic of Bulgaria and, according to the Constitution, constitute part of the country’s internal law.

According to international and national law, children have the right to the best possible standard of living that meets the needs of their physical, mental and spiritual development. These photographs show the reality of the life of children in the Roma neighborhood in the city of Blagoevgrad.

Author: Ioana Velichkova, 12th grade student, EG “Acad. L. Stoyanov” from Blagoevgrad

 

Reflection Questions:

1/ Find texts from the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and from the Child Protection Act that refer to the child’s right to a good standard of living, a clean environment, development and well-being.

2/ What are the barriers to improving the living standards of some children in the country?

Why are the parents of some children and the state unable to cope with this task?

Childhood in the Roma neighbourhood – 2

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

States parties to the Convention recognize the right of every child to a standard of living that meets the needs of his physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.States parties to the convention, in accordance with national conditions and within their capabilities, take the necessary measures to assist parents and other persons responsible for the child to exercise this right and, in case of need, provide material assistance and support programs, especially regarding food, clothing and housing. (Article 27)

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two optional protocols have been ratified by the Republic of Bulgaria and, according to the Constitution, constitute part of the country’s internal law.

According to international and national law, children have the right to the best possible standard of living that meets the needs of their physical, mental and spiritual development. These photographs show the reality of the life of children in the Roma neighborhood in the city of Blagoevgrad.

Author: Ioana Velichkova, 12th grade student, EG “Acad. L. Stoyanov” from Blagoevgrad

 

Reflection Questions:

1/ Find texts from the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and from the Child Protection Act that refer to the child’s right to a good standard of living, a clean environment, development and well-being.

2/ What are the barriers to improving the living standards of some children in the country? Why are the parents of some children and the state unable to cope with this task?

Childhood in the Roma neigbourhood – 1

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, by courts, administrative or legislative bodies. States Parties undertake to provide the child with such protection and care as it is necessary for their well-being, taking into account the rights and obligations of their parents, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for him/her, and for this objective they take all necessary legislative and administrative measures. (Article 3)

States parties to the Convention recognize the right of every child to a standard of living that meets the needs of his physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.

States parties to the convention, in accordance with national conditions and within their capabilities, take the necessary measures to assist parents and other persons responsible for the child to exercise this right and, in case of need, provide material assistance and support programs, especially regarding food, clothing and housing. (Article 27)

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the two optional protocols have been ratified by the Republic of Bulgaria and, according to the Constitution, constitute part of the country’s internal law.

According to international and national law, children have the right to the best possible standard of living that meets the needs of their physical, mental and spiritual development. These photographs show the reality of the life of children in the Roma neighborhood in the city of Blagoevgrad.

Author: Ioana Velichkova, 12th grade student, EG “Acad. L. Stoyanov” from Blagoevgrad

 

Reflection Questions:

1/ Find texts from the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and from the Child Protection Act that refer to the child’s right to a good standard of living, a clean environment, development and well-being.

2/ What are the barriers to improving the living standards of some children in the country? Why are the parents of some children and the state unable to cope with this task?

Against school violence

About aggression and violence at school

Violence and harassment are violations of human rights. They are a problem with serious mental and physical effects on victims. The authors of this film about school violence and bullying are students from Blagoevgrad who want to draw attention to the seriousness of the problem. They want to say that rights come with responsibilities. Everyone has a responsibility to create a safe environment by standing up to every instance of violence and harassment. When schools and communities fail to act to stop bullying, they are failing in their responsibility to protect the rights of the victim. Students also have a responsibility to protect the rights of others by directly defending the victim and standing up to bullies, or by reporting bullies’ behavior to school authorities. When everyone responds immediately with appropriate action, school bullying will have no ground.

Regarding bullying at school, you should know that:

  • Bullying is not “just a joke”, but violence that causes suffering, humiliation, loneliness and isolation.
  • Bullying is not “part of the system” and should not be accepted.
  • Only by standing up to bullying can people make a difference.
  • No one deserves to be bullied.
  • If you are a victim of bullying, don’t think that the problem is with you.
  • If you are being harassed, react!
  • Don’t turn a blind eye, don’t let the bully continue to bully you or others.
  • Don’t isolate yourself!
  • Support the one being bullied!

Authors: Stiliyan Donchev, Teodora Dimitrova, students from 7th Secondary school “Kuzman Shapkarev”, Blagoevgrad