Fridays for Future and Children's Rights

Since its emergence in 2018, the Fridays for Future movement (FFF) has grappled with issues of climate justice for current and future generations. This study connects FFF with discourses around the rights of children and young people, aiming to place young people's views at the centre of the research and shed light on this as-yet widely unresearched topic. Through qualitative research with young people involved in FFF, the study broaches topics such as intergenerational justice, civil disobedience and political participation rights. The results highlight the necessity of collective responsibility for the future of FFF, along with participants' wishes to be more included in the political debate.

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.

Autorentext
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.

Inhalt
IntroductionLiterature ReviewFridays for Future origins, demographic, structure, aims Fridays for Future receptionFridays 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 rightsIntergenerational justiceDiscourse 'childhood'A short example movements of working childrenResearch questionsResearch methodologyResearch context and participantsResearch methodsEthics considerationsResearch limitationsResultsEvaluation of reactions "Now we are the experts" "Abandoning school for rights" "Do 'good politicians' exist?" mistrust in politicians and politicsPotential 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?DiscussionReacting to politicians' statements claiming rights and the importance of civil disobedienceThe future paradigm a potential common denominator?Intergenerational justice in light of FFF and suggestions from participantsPolitical participation to level the playing field?Critique, contribution to research & further research ConclusionReferencesAbstract (Deutsch)