Primary and secondary pupils from across East Dunbartonshire met at Kirkintilloch High School earlier this month, for the ‘My Voice My Choice’ Showcase event.
The young people, members of the East Dunbartonshire Pupil Forum and other pupil representatives, came together to share some of the rights respecting work they had undertaken throughout the year - posters, learning journals, presentations, and so much more. Some of the school mascots even made an appearance!
Louise Chambers from Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) delivered a workshop on Mental Health and Wellbeing before the pupils were awarded participation and Dynamic Youth Award certificates for all their hard work and the important role they played as school representatives on the My Voice My Choice forum.
East Dunbartonshire Council launched its authority-wide pupil forum ‘My Voice My Choice’ in 2022; it is the first of its kind and sector-leading practice in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on Rights of a Child (UNCRC) – UNICEF UK.
All East Dunbartonshire schools are represented by at least two pupils in the forum which meets four times per year to discuss authority-wide themes as well as other locality-based issues. Now embedded, it follows a rigorous three-year implementation plan and is a key element within the authority’s UNCRC plan 2024-2027.
Convener of Education, Councillor Lynda Williamson said, “Within East Dunbartonshire we have a firmly established partnership with UNICEF, and all our education settings have achieved either bronze, silver, or gold Rights Respecting Schools accreditation. Additionally, one of our primary schools is a UNICEF good practice case study school, highlighting education is shaped by learners, and children’s rights are central to everything.
Our pupils work exceptionally hard learning and implementing the rights outlined in the UNCRC and this Showcase event is not only an opportunity for the forum members to share ideas and best practice, but an occasion where their commitment and efforts are recognised and celebrated.
"Well done to all the members of the My Voice My Choice forum, you have done an incredible job this year.”
