Convention on the Rights of the Child: Article 30

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international treaty that recognised the human rights of all children, everywhere, whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, language, abilities, socio-economic status or other status. More than 194 countries have signed the treaty, including Australia.

There are 54 articles, also known as rights, in the UNCRC.

Article 30 states that children have the right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, even if these are not shared by most people in the country where they live.

Australia is the only country in the world that systematically funds community groups to teach their heritage language and culture to children in their community. In NSW, as well as offering financial grants to community groups that qualify, communities can apply for free use of public school facilities to conduct their classes.

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