Human Rights Bunting - Children expressing what their rights mean to them

 

Human Rights Bunting

Children expressing what their rights mean to them

Human Rights Bunting is a simple, open art project where children are invited to explore what fairness, safety, and respect mean in their own lives.

At each event, children create small pieces of bunting using drawing and words. Each piece begins with a simple idea:

“Everyone should…”

From there, the responses are entirely their own.

Some children draw homes.
Some write about safety.
Some talk about being listened to.

Each piece becomes part of a growing line of bunting — a shared artwork made from many individual voices. When hung together, these pieces create a powerful visual expression of what children believe matters.

Where the ideas come from

The project is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that sets out basic rights and freedoms for all people.

To make these ideas accessible, we use materials from Youth for Human Rights International, who provide a child-friendly version of these rights. Their booklets are available free (by donation), helping children understand big ideas in a simple and approachable way.

For older participants and adults, further information can be found at United for Human Rights, which presents the same principles in a broader context.

How it works

Human Rights Bunting is a walk-in, open activity. There is no set lesson and no pressure.

Children can:

  • choose an idea that matters to them

  • draw or write their response

  • add their piece to the bunting line

The process is quick, creative, and inclusive. Every contribution is valued equally.

A simple aim

This project is not about teaching in a formal way.
It is about giving children a space to think and express:

  • What feels fair

  • What feels important

  • What they believe everyone should have

The result is a growing collection of voices — honest, direct, and often very clear.

Looking ahead

As more events take place, this blog will document the growing bunting — a record of children’s ideas brought together through art.

Over time, these collective works may be shared more widely, helping to reflect how young people understand their rights today.


Kirsteen Lyons-Benson with her children, sharing the belief that human rights education is vital and that every child’s voice matters.

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