Inspired by a recent project where we created artwork and writing in letter form, and by Amnesty International Ireland’s “Write For Rights” campaign that takes place every December, we facilitated two different online letter-writing workshops with children and young people on Human Rights Day, Thursday the 10th of December.

Our workshop for children and families focused on climate justice and human rights. Artist Vanya Lambrecht Ward facilitated the workshop, and we talked about different issues relating to climate change and rights, what we can do about it, and who we could write to. The group wrote about a wide variety of issues including the plastic in our seas that kills wildlife, Ireland’s Climate Bill, raising awareness about climate change through songs, raising awareness about litter, excess Co2, the importance of organisations like Greenpeace and much more! Between everyone in the group, we wrote to a soccer player, a musician, politicians, scientists, environmental NGOs, two different authors of books for children and young people, and other public figures. We then made our letters and artwork into their own envelopes! You can see some of the results below.

Kids’ Own also hosted a letter writing workshop for teenagers to raise awareness about LGBTQI+ rights. Young people from some of our current projects joined writer Mary Branley to talk and write. We wrote letters of support for LGBTQI+ rights activists in Ireland. One participant wrote to their school principal about the importance of language and instances where they felt the rights of members of the LGBTQI+ community were being infringed by the use of language. Another participant wrote to a politician urging greater empathy, respect, and rights for transgender people in Ireland.

It was a busy day of workshops, and the participating children and young people gave us a lot to think about. We hope they get responses to the letters they wrote, and that their words and art inspire and urge the recipients of the letters to listen and take action.

If you are feeling inspired to write your own letter, check out our letter template which folds your letter into a special origami-style envelope.