CRC/C/GC/17

United Nations

Convention on the
Rights of the Child

Distr.: General
17 April 2013
Original: English

Committee on the Rights of the Child

General comment No. 17 (2013) on the right of thechild to rest, leisure, play, recreational activities,
cultural life and the arts (art. 31)*

* Adopted by the Committee at its sixty-second session (14 January – 1 February 2013).

GE.13-

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Contents
Page

I.

Introduction .............................................................................................................

1-6

3

II.

Objectives ...............................................................................................................

7

3

III.

Significance of article 31 in children’s lives ...........................................................

8-13

4

IV.

Legal analysis of article 31 ......................................................................................

14-15

5

V.

VI.

A.

Article 31, paragraph 1. ..................................................................................

14

5

B.

Article 31, paragraph 2 ...................................................................................

15

7

Article 31 in the broader context of the Convention ...............................................

16-31

7

A.

Links with the general principles of the Convention .....................................

16-19

7

B.

Links with other relevant rights .....................................................................

20-31

8

Creating the context for the realization of article 31 ...............................................

32-47

10

A.

Factors for an optimum environment .............................................................

32

10

B.

Challenges to be addressed in the realization of article 31 ............................

33-47

11

Children requiring particular attention in order to realize
their rights under article 31 .....................................................................................

48-53

15

VIII.

States parties’ obligations ........................................................................................

54-59

17

IX.

Dissemination ..........................................................................................................

60-61

22

VII.

2

Paragraphs

CRC/C/GC/17

I. Introduction
1.
The importance of play and recreation in the life of every child has long been
acknowledged by the international community, as evidenced by the proclamation in the1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child: “The child shall have full opportunity for play
and recreation […]; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote theenjoyment of this right” (art. 7). This proclamation was further strengthened in theConvention on the Rights of the Child (the Convention) of 1989 which explicitly states inarticle 31 that “States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage inplay and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and and to participate
freely in cultural life and the arts.”
2.
However, based on its reviews of the implementation of the rights of the child under
the Convention, the Committee is concerned by the poor recognition given by States to therights contained in article 31. Poor recognition of their significance in the lives of children
results in lack of investment in appropriate provisions, weak or non-existent protective
legislation and the invisibility of children in national and local-level planning. In general,
where investment is made, it is in the provision of structured and organized activities, butequally important is the need to create time and space for children to engage in spontaneousplay, recreation and creativity, and to promote societal attitudes that support and encouragesuch activity.
3.
The Committee is particularly concerned about the difficulties faced by particular
categories of children in relation to enjoyment and conditions of equality of the rights
defined in article 31, especially girls, poor children, children with disabilities, indigenous
children, children belonging to minorities, among others.
4.
Furthermore, profound changes in the world are having a major impact on children’s
opportunities to enjoy the rights provided for in article 31. The urban population, especiallyin developing countries, is increasing significantly, as is violence worldwide in all its forms– at home, in schools, in mass media, in the streets. The implications, along with thecommercialization of play provisions, are influencing the ways children engage inrecreation, as well as in cultural and artistic activities. For many children in both rich andpoor countries, child labour, domestic work or increasing educational demands serve to
reduce the time available for the enjoyment of these rights.
5.
This general comment has been developed to address these concerns, raise theprofile, awareness and understanding among States of the centrality of the rights in article
31 in the life and development of every child, and urge them to elaborate measures toensure their implementation. The rights in article 31 have universal application in thediversity of communities and societies in the world and respect the value of all cultural
traditions and forms. Every child should be able to enjoy these rights regardless of where heor she lives, his or her cultural background or his or her parental status.
6.
This general comment only touches tangentially on the issue of sport, as it is a major
issue in its own right. In respect of cultural life, the general comment focuses primarily on
aspects related to creative or artistic activities, rather than the broader definition embraced
in article 30 on the right of the child to enjoy his or her own culture.

II. Objectives
7.
The present general comment seeks to enhance the understanding of the importanceof article 31 for children’s well-being and development; to ensure respect for and3

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strengthen the application of the rights under article 31, as well as other rights in theConvention, and to highlight the implications for the determination of:(a)Consequent obligations of States in the elaboration of all implementation
measures, strategies and programmes aimed at the realization and full implementation of
the rights defined in article 31;(b)
The role and responsibilities of the private sector, including companies
working in the areas of recreation, cultural and artistic activities, as well as civil society
organizations providing such services for children;(c)
Guidelines for all individuals working with children, including parents, on all
actions undertaken in the area of play and recreation.

III. Significance of article 31 in children’s lives
8.
Article 31 must be understood holistically, both in terms of its constituent parts andalso in its relationship with the Convention in its entirety. Each element of article 31ismutually linked and reinforcing, and when realized, serves to enrich the lives of children.
Together, they describe conditions necessary to protect the unique and evolving nature ofchildhood. Their realization is fundamental to the quality of childhood, to children’s
entitlement to optimum development, to the promotion of resilience and to the realizationof other rights. Indeed, environments in which play and recreational opportunities areavailable to all children provide the conditions for creativity; opportunities to exercise
competence through self-initiated play enhances motivation, physical activity and skills
development; immersion in cultural life enriches playful interactions; rest ensures thatchildren have the necessary energy and motivation to participate in play and creative
engagement.
9.
Play and recreation are essential to the health and well-being of children andpromote the development of creativity, imagination, self-confidence, self-efficacy, as well
as physical, social, cognitive and emotional strength and skills. They contribute to all
aspects of learning;1 they are a form of participation in everyday life and are of intrinsic
value to the child, purely in terms of the enjoyment and pleasure they afford. Research
evidence highlights that playing is also central to children’s spontaneous drive fordevelopment, and that it performs a significant role in the development of the brain,
particularly in the early years. Play and recreation facilitate children’s capacities tonegotiate, regain emotional balance, resolve conflicts and make decisions. Through theirinvolvement in play and recreation, children learn by doing; they explore and experience
the world around them; experiment with new ideas, roles and experiences and in so doing,
learn to understand and construct their social position within the world.
10.
Both play and recreation can take place when children are on their own, together
with their peers or with supportive adults. Children’s development can be supported byloving and caring adults as they relate to children through play. Participation with children
in play provides adults with unique insights and understanding into the child’s perspectives.
It builds respect between generations, contributes to effective understanding andcommunication between children and adults and affords opportunities to provide guidanceand stimulus. Children benefit from recreational activities involving adults, including
voluntary participation in organized sports, games and other recreational activities.
However, the benefits are diminished, particularly in the development of creativity,

1

4

UNESCO, Education for the twenty-first century: issues and prospects (Paris, 1998).

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leadership and team spirit if control by adults is so pervasive that it undermines the child’s
own efforts to organize and conduct his or her play activities.
11.
Involvement in a community’s cultural life is an important element of children’s
sense of belonging. Children inherit and experience the cultural and artistic life of theirfamily, community and society, and through that process, they discover and forge their own
sense of identity and, in turn, contribute to the stimulation and sustainability of cultural life
and traditional arts.
12.
In addition, children reproduce, transform, create and transmit culture through theirown imaginative play, songs, dance, animation, stories, painting, games, street theatre,
puppetry, festivals, and so on. As they gain understanding of the cultural and artistic lifearound them from adult and peer relationships, they translate and adapt its meaning throughtheir own generational experience. Through engagement with their peers, children create
and transmit their own language, games, secret worlds, fantasies and other cultural
knowledge. Children’s play generates a “culture of childhood,” from games in school andin the playground to urban activities such as playing marbles, free running, street art and soon. Children are also at the forefront in using digital platforms and virtual worlds toestablish new means of communication and social networks, through which different
cultural environments and artistic forms are being forged. Participation in cultural andartistic activities are necessary for building children’s understanding, not only of their own
culture, but other cultures, as it provides opportunities to broaden their horizons and learn
from other cultural and artistic traditions, thus contributing towards mutual understanding
and appreciation of diversity.
13.
Finally, rest and leisure are as important to children’s development as the basics ofnutrition, housing, health care and education. Without sufficient rest, children will lack theenergy, motivation and physical and mental capacity for meaningful participation orlearning. Denial of rest can have an irreversible physical and psychological impact on thedevelopment, health and well-being of children. Children also need leisure, defined as timeand space without obligations, entertainment or stimulus, which they can choose to fill asactively or inactively as they wish.

IV. Legal analysis of article 31
A.

Article 31, paragraph 1
14.

States parties recognize the right of the child to:(a)
Rest: The right to rest requires that children are afforded sufficient respitefrom work, education or exertion of any kind, to ensure their optimum health and wellbeing. It also requires that they are provided with the opportunity for adequate sleep. In
fulfilling the right to both respite from activity and adequate sleep, regard must be afforded
to children’s evolving capacities and their developmental needs.
(b)Leisure: Leisure refers to time in which play or recreation can take place. It
is defined as free or unobligated time that does not involve formal education, work, home
responsibilities, performance of other life-sustaining functions or engaging in activity
directed from outside the individual. In other words it is largely discretionary time to be
used as the child chooses.
(c)Play: Children’s play is any behaviour, activity or process initiated,
controlled and structured by children themselves; it takes place whenever and whereveropportunities arise. Caregivers may contribute to the creation of environments in whichplay takes place, but play itself is non-compulsory, driven by intrinsic motivation and5CRC/C/GC/17

undertaken for its own sake, rather than as a means to an end. Play involves the exercise of
autonomy, physical, mental or emotional activity, and has the potential to take infinite
forms, either in groups or alone. These forms will change and be adapted throughout thecourse of childhood. The key characteristics of play are fun, uncertainty, challenge,
flexibility and non-productivity. Together, these factors contribute to the enjoyment it
produces and the consequent incentive to continue to play. While play is often considered
non-essential, the Committee reaffirms that it is a fundamental and vital dimension of thepleasure of childhood, as well as an essential component of physical, social, cognitive,
emotional and spiritual development.
(d)Recreational activities: Recreation is an umbrella term used to describe avery broad range of activities, including, inter alia, participation in music, art, crafts,
community engagement, clubs, sports, games, hiking and camping, pursuing hobbies. It
consists of activities or experiences, chosen voluntarily by the child, either because of theimmediate satisfaction provided or because he or she perceives that some personal or social
value will be gained by accomplishing them. Recreation often takes place in spaces
specifically designed for it. While many recreational activities may be organized andmanaged by adults, recreation should be a voluntary activity. Compulsory or enforced
games and sports or compulsory involvement in a youth organization, for example, do notconstitute recreation.
(e)Appropriate to the age of the child: Article 31emphasizes the importanceof activities appropriate to the age of the child. In respect of play and recreation, the age ofthe child must be taken into account in determining the amount of time afforded; the natureof spaces and environments available; forms of stimulation and diversity; the degree ofnecessary adult oversight and engagement to ensure safety and security. As children growolder, their needs and wants evolve from settings that afford play opportunities to places
offering opportunities to socialize, be with peers or be alone. They will also explore
progressively more opportunities involving risk-taking and challenge. These experiences
are developmentally necessary for adolescents, and contribute to their discovery of identityand belonging.
(f)
Cultural life and the arts: The Committee endorses the view that it isthrough cultural life and the arts that children and their communities express their specificidentity and the meaning they give to their existence, and build their world view
representing their encounter with external forces affecting their lives.2 Cultural and artistic
expression is articulated and enjoyed in the home, school, streets and public spaces, as wellas through dance, festivals, crafts, ceremonies, rituals, theatre, literature, music, cinema,
exhibitions, film, digital platforms and video. Culture derives from the community as awhole; no child should be denied access either to its creation or to its benefits. Cultural life
emerges from within the culture and community, rather than imposed from above, with therole of States being to serve as facilitators not suppliers.3(g)Participate freely: The right of children to participate freely in cultural life and thearts requires that States parties respect and abstain from interfering in the child’s access to,
choice of and engagement in such activities, subject to the obligation to ensure theprotection of the child and the promotion of the child’s best interests. States parties mustalso ensure that others do not restrict that right. The child’s decision to exercise or not

2

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 21 (2009) on the right ofeveryone to take part in cultural life, para. 13.
3 See UNESCO, “Mexico City Declaration on Cultural Policies,” World Conference on Cultural
Policies, Mexico City, 26 July - 6 August 1982.

6

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exercise this right is his or her choice and, as such, should be recognized, respected andprotected.

B.

Article 31, paragraph 2
15.

States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child:(a)Participate fully in cultural and artistic life: The right to participate fully has
three inter-related and mutually reinforcing dimensions:(i)
Access necessitates that children are provided the opportunities to experience
cultural and artistic life and to learn about a wide range of different forms ofexpression;(ii) Participation requires that concrete opportunities are guaranteed for children,
individually or as a group, to express themselves freely, to communicate, act andengage in creative activities, with a view to the full development of theirpersonalities;(iii) Contribution to cultural life encompasses the right of children to contributeto the spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional expressions of culture and thearts, thereby furthering the development and transformation of the society to which
he or she belongs.
(b)
Encourage the provision of appropriate opportunities: Although the requirement
to encourage the provision of appropriate opportunities specifies cultural, artistic,
recreational and leisure activity, the Committee interprets it as including play also, further
to article 4 of the Convention. States parties must therefore ensure the necessary andappropriate preconditions for participation to facilitate and promote opportunities for therealization of the rights under article 31. Children can only realize their rights if thenecessary legislative, policy, budgetary, environmental and service frameworks are in place.
(c)
Provision of equal opportunities: Every child must be afforded equal opportunities
to enjoy his or her rights under article 31.

V. Article 31 in the broader context of the Convention
A.

Links with the general principles of the Convention
16.
Article 2 (non-discrimination): The Committee emphasizes that States parties shalltake all appropriate measures to ensure that all children have the opportunity to realize theirrights under article 31 without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or hisor her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status. Particularattention should be given to addressing the rights of certain groups of children, including,inter alia, girls, children with disabilities, children living in poor or hazardous environments,
children living in poverty, children in penal, health-care or residential institutions, children
in situations of conflict or humanitarian disaster, children in rural communities, asylumseeking and refugee children, children in street situations, nomadic groups, migrant orinternally displaced children, children of indigenous origin and from minority groups,
working children, children without parents and children subjected to significant pressure foracademic attainment.
17.
Article 3 (best interests of the child): The Committee emphasizes that therealization of the rights under article 31is, by definition, in the child’s best interests. The
7

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obligation to consider the child’s best interests applies to children as individuals and as agroup or constituency. All legislative, policy and budgetary measures, as well as measuresrelating to environmental or service provision, which are likely to impact on the rights
provided for in article 31 must take into consideration the best interests of children. This
would apply, for example, to regulations relating to health and safety, solid waste disposal
and collection, residential and transportation planning, design and accessibility of the urban
landscape, provision of parks and other green spaces, determination of school hours, childlabour and education legislation, planning applications or legislation governing privacy on
the Internet, among others.
18.
Article 6 (life, survival and development): State parties must ensure, to the
maximum extent possible, the life, survival and development of the child. In this regard, theCommittee draws attention to the need to recognize the positive value of each dimension ofarticle 31 in promoting the development and evolving capacities of children. This also
requires that the measures introduced to implement article 31 are in accordance with thedevelopmental needs of children at all ages. States parties should promote awareness andunderstanding of the centrality of play for children’s development among parents,
caregivers, government officials and all professionals working with and for children.
19.
Article 12 (right to be heard): Children, as individuals and as a group, have theright to express their views on all matters of concern to them, which should be given due
weight, in accordance with their age and maturity, and they should receive adequate support
to express their views, where necessary. Children are entitled to exercise choice andautonomy in their play and recreational activities, as well as in their participation in culturaland artistic activities. The Committee underlines the importance of providing opportunities
for children to contribute to the development of legislation, policies, strategies and designof services to ensure the implementation of the rights under article 31. Such contribution
could include their involvement, for example, in consultations on policies related to play
and recreation, on legislation affecting educational rights and school organization andcurriculum or protective legislation relating to child labour, on the development of parksand other local facilities, on urban planning and design for child-friendly communities andenvironments, and their feedback could be sought on opportunities for play or recreationand cultural activities within the school and the wider community.4

B.

Links with other relevant rights
20.
Article 13: The right to freedom of expression is fundamental to the right toparticipate freely in cultural and artistic activity. Children have the right to express
themselves in whatever way they choose, subject only to restrictions as defined by law andwhen necessary to ensure respect for the rights and reputations of others, and for theprotection of national security, public order and public health or morals.
21.
Article 15: Children have the right to exercise choice in their friendships, as well as
membership of social, cultural, sporting and other forms of organization. Freedom of
association represents an integral dimension of their rights under article 31, as children
together create forms of imaginative play that are rarely achieved in adult-child relations.
Children need to engage with peers of both sexes, as well as with people of different
abilities, classes, cultures and ages, in order to learn cooperation, tolerance, sharing andresourcefulness. Play and recreation create the opportunities for the formation offriendships and can play a key role in strengthening civil society, contributing towards thesocial, moral and emotional development of the child, shaping culture and building
4

8

See the Committee’s general comment No.12 (2009) on the right of the child to be heard.

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communities. State parties must facilitate opportunities to enable children to meet freely
with their peers at the community level. They must also respect and support the right ofchildren to establish, join and leave associations, and the right to peaceful assembly.
However, children should never be compelled to participate or join organizations.
22.
Article 17: Children are entitled to information and materials which are of socialand cultural benefit and which derive from a diversity of community, national andinternational sources. Access to such information and materials is essential for theirrealization of the right to participate fully in cultural and artistic activity. States parties areencouraged to ensure that children are provided with the widest possible access, throughdifferent media, to information and materials related to their own culture and to othercultures, in a language that they understand, including sign language and Braille, and bypermitting exceptions to copyright laws in order to ensure the availability of printed
materials in alternative formats. In so doing, care must be taken to protect and preserve
cultural diversity and to avoid cultural stereotypes.
23.
Article 22: Refugee and asylum-seeking children face profound challenges inrealizing their rights under article 31 as they often experience both dislocation from theirown traditions and culture and exclusion from the culture of the host country. Efforts must
be made to ensure that refugee and asylum-seeking children have equal opportunities withchildren from the host country to enjoy the rights provided for in article 31. Recognition
must also be afforded to the right of refugee children to preserve and practice their own
recreational, cultural and artistic traditions.
24.
Article 23: Accessible and inclusive environments and facilities must be madeavailable5 to children with disabilities to enable them to enjoy their rights under article 31.
Families, caregivers and professionals must recognize the value of inclusive play, both as aright and as a means of achieving optimum development, for children with disabilities.
States parties should promote opportunities for children with disabilities, as equal andactive participants in play, recreation and cultural and artistic life, by awareness-raisingamong adults and peers, and by providing age-appropriate support or assistance.
25.
Article 24: Not only does the realization of the rights provided for in article 31
contribute to the health, well-being and development of children, but also appropriate
provision for children to enjoy the rights under article 31 when they are ill and/or
hospitalized will play an important role in facilitating their recovery.
26.
Article 27: Inadequate standard of living, insecure or overcrowded conditions,unsafe and unsanitary environments, inadequate food, enforced harmful or exploitative
work can all serve to limit or deny children the opportunity to enjoy their rights underarticle 31. States parties are encouraged to take into account the implications for children’s
rights under article 31 when developing policies relating to social protection, employment,
housing and access to public spaces for children, especially those living without
opportunities for play and recreation in their own homes.
27.
Articles 28 and 29: Education must be directed to the development of the child’s
personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to the fullest potential. Implementationof the rights under article 31 is essential to achieving compliance with the right provided forin article 29. For children to optimize their potential, they require opportunities for culturaland artistic development as well as participation in sports and games. The Committee alsoemphasizes that the rights under article 31 are of positive benefit to children’s educational
development; inclusive education and inclusive play are mutually reinforcing and should befacilitated during the course of every day throughout early childhood education and care5

See Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, arts. 7, 9 and 30.

9CRC/C/GC/17(preschool) as well as primary and secondary school. While relevant and necessary forchildren of all ages, play is particularly significant in the early years of schooling. Research
has shown that play is an important means through which children learn.
28.
Article 30: Children from ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities should be
encouraged to enjoy and participate in their own cultures. States should respect the cultural
specificities of children from minority communities as well as children of indigenous origin,and ensure that they are afforded equal rights with children from majority communities toparticipate in cultural and artistic activities reflecting their own language, religion andculture.
29.
Article 32: The Committee notes that in many countries, children are engaged inarduous work which denies them their rights under article 31. Furthermore, millions ofchildren are working as domestic workers or in non-hazardous occupations with theirfamilies without adequate rest or education, throughout most of their childhood. States needto take all necessary measures to protect all child workers from conditions that violate theirrights under article 31.
30.
Articles 19, 34, 37 and 38: Violence, sexual exploitation, deprivation of liberty byunlawful or arbitrary means and forced service in armed conflicts impose conditions that
seriously impede or even eliminate children’s abilities to enjoy play, recreation andparticipation in cultural life and the arts. Bullying by other children can also be a major
impediment to the enjoyment of the rights under article 31. Those rights can only berealized if States parties take all necessary measures to protect children from such acts.
31.
Article 39: States parties should ensure that children who have experienced neglect,
exploitation, abuse or other forms of violence are provided with support for recovery andreintegration. Children’s experiences, including those which are painful and damaging, canbe communicated through play or artistic expression. Opportunities to realize the rights
under article 31 can provide a valuable means through which children can externalize
traumatic or difficult life experiences in order to make sense of their past and better copewith their future. Play and artistic expression would enable them to communicate, better
understand their own feelings and thoughts, prevent or resolve psychosocial challenges andlearn to manage relationships and conflicts through a natural, self-guided, self-healing
process.

VI. Creating the context for the realization of article 31
A.

Factors for an optimum environment
32.
Children have a spontaneous urge to play and participate in recreational activities
and will seek out opportunities to do so in the most unfavourable environments. However,certain conditions need to be assured, in accordance with children’s evolving capacities, if
they are to realize their rights under article 31 to the optimum extent. As such, children
should have:10-

Freedom from stress;-

Freedom from social exclusion, prejudice or discrimination;-

An environment secure from social harm or violence;-

An environment sufficiently free from waste, pollution, traffic and otherphysical hazards to allow them to circulate freely and safely within their local
neighbourhood;CRC/C/GC/17

B.

-

Availability of rest appropriate to their age and development;-

Availability of leisure time, free from other demands;-

Accessible space and time for play, free from adult control and management;-

Space and opportunities to play outdoors unaccompanied in a diverse andchallenging physical environment, with easy access to supportive adults, whennecessary;-

Opportunities to experience, interact with and play in natural environments andthe animal world;-

Opportunities to invest in their own space and time so as to create andtransform their world, using their imagination and languages;-

Opportunities to explore and understand the cultural and artistic heritage of
their community, participate in, create and shape it;-

Opportunities to participate with other children in games, sports and otherrecreational activities, supported, where necessary, by trained facilitators orcoaches;-

Recognition by parents, teachers and society as a whole of the value andlegitimacy of the rights provided for in article 31.

Challenges to be addressed in the realization of article 31
33.
Lack of recognition of the importance of play and recreation: In many parts of
the world, play is perceived as “deficit” time spent in frivolous or unproductive activity of
no intrinsic worth. Parents, caregivers and public administrators commonly place a higher
priority on studying or economic work than on play, which is often considered noisy, dirty,
disruptive and intrusive. Moreover, adults often lack the confidence, skill or understanding
to support children’s play and to interact with them in a playful way. Both the right ofchildren to engage in play and recreation and their fundamental importance of those
activities for children’s well-being, health and development are poorly understood andundervalued. When play is recognized, it is usually physically active play and competitive
games(sport) that are valued above fantasy or social drama, for example. The Committeeemphasizes that greater recognition of the forms and locations of play and recreationpreferred by older children is particularly necessary. Adolescents often seek places to meetwith their peers and explore their emerging independence and transition to adulthood. Thisis an important dimension for the development of their sense of identity and belonging.
34.
Unsafe and hazardous environments: Features in the environment which impact
on the rights provided for in article 31 can either serve as protective or risk factors forchildren’s health, development and safety. In respect of younger children, spaces which
provide opportunities for exploration and creativity should enable parents and caregivers tomaintain oversight, including by means of eye and voice contact. Children need access toinclusive spaces that are free from inappropriate hazards and close to their own homes, aswell as with measures to promote safe, independent mobility as their capacities evolve.
35.
The majority of the world’s poorest children face physical hazards such as polluted
water; open sewer systems; overcrowded cities; uncontrolled traffic; poor street lighting
and congested streets; inadequate public transport; lack of safe local play areas, green
spaces and cultural facilities; informal urban “slum” settlements in hazardous, violent or
toxic environments. In post-conflict environments, children can also be harmed bylandmines and unexploded ordnance. Indeed, children are at particular risk both because

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their natural curiosity and exploratory play increases the likelihood of exposure andbecause the impact of an explosion is greater on a child.
36.
Human factors can also combine to place children at risk in the public environment:high levels of crime and violence; community unrest and civil strife; drug and gang-related
violence; risk of kidnapping and child trafficking; open spaces dominated by hostile youthor adults; aggression and sexual violence towards girls. Even where parks, playgrounds,
sports facilities and other provisions exist, they may often be in locations where children
are at risk, unsupervised and exposed to hazards. The dangers posed by all these factors
severely restrict children’s opportunities for safe play and recreation. The increasing
erosion of many spaces traditionally available to children creates a need for greater
Government intervention to protect the rights under article 31.
37.
Resistance to children’s use of public spaces: Children’s use of public space forplay, recreation and their own cultural activities is also impeded by the increasing
commercialization of public areas, from which children are excluded. Furthermore, in many
parts of the world, there is decreasing tolerance of children in public spaces. The
introduction, for example, of curfews on children; gated communities or parks; reduced
noise-level tolerance; playgrounds with strict rules for “acceptable” play behaviour;
restrictions on access to shopping malls builds a perception of children as “problems”
and/or delinquents. Adolescents, in particular, are widely perceived as a threat bywidespread negative media coverage and representation, and discouraged from using public
spaces.
38.
The exclusion of children has significant implications for their development as
citizens. Shared experience of inclusive public spaces by different age groups serves topromote and strengthen civil society and encourage children to recognize themselves ascitizens with rights. States are encouraged to promote dialogue between older and younger
generations to encourage greater recognition of children as rights holders, and of theimportance of networks of diverse community spaces in local areas or municipalities which
can accommodate the play and recreational needs of all children.
39.
Balancing risk and safety: Fears over the physical and human risks to whichchildren are exposed within their local environments are leading, in some parts of the world,
to increasing levels of monitoring and surveillance, with consequent constraints on theirfreedom to play and opportunities for recreation. In addition, children themselves can posea threat to other children in their play and recreational activities – for example, bullying,abuse of younger children by older children and group pressure to engage in high risktaking. While children must not be exposed to harm in the realization of their rights underarticle 31, some degree of risk and challenge is integral to play and recreational activities
and is a necessary component of the benefits of these activities. A balance is needed
between, on the one hand, taking action to reduce unacceptable hazards in children’s
environment, such as closing local streets to traffic, improving street lighting or creating
safe boundaries for school playgrounds, and on the other hand, informing, equipping andempowering children to take the necessary precautions to enhance their own safety. The
best interests of the child and listening to children’s experiences and concerns should be
mediating principles for determining the level of risk to which children can be exposed.
40.
Lack of access to nature: Children come to understand, appreciate and care for thenatural world through exposure, self-directed play and exploration with adults who
communicate its wonder and significance. Memories of childhood play and leisure in naturestrengthen resources with which to cope with stress, inspire a sense of spiritual wonder andencourage stewardship for the earth. Play in natural settings also contributes towards agility,
balance, creativity, social cooperation and concentration. Connection to nature throughgardening, harvesting, ceremonies and peaceful contemplation is an important dimension of
the arts and heritage of many cultures. In an increasingly urbanized and privatized world,
12CRC/C/GC/17

children’s access to parks, gardens, forests, beaches and other natural areas is being
erodedm, and children in low-income urban areas are most likely to lack adequate access togreen spaces.
41.
Pressure for educational achievement: Many children in many parts of the world
are being denied their rights under article 31 as a consequence of an emphasis on formal
academic success. For example:-

Early childhood education is increasingly focused on academic targets andformal learning at the expense of participation in play and attainment ofbroader development outcomes;-

Extracurricular tuition and homework are intruding on children’s time forfreely chosen activities;-

The curriculum and daily schedule often lack recognition of the necessity of orprovision for play, recreation and rest;-

The use of formal or didactic educational methods in the classroom do not takeadvantage of opportunities for active playful learning;-

Contact with nature is decreasing in many schools with children having tospend more time indoors;-

Opportunities for cultural and artistic activities and the provision of specialist
arts educators in school are, in some countries, being eroded in favour of moreacademic subjects.

-

Restrictions on the type of play in which children can engage in school serve toinhibit their opportunities for creativity, exploration and social development.

42.
Overly structured and programmed schedules: For many children, the ability torealize the rights provided for in article 31 is restricted by the imposition of adult-decided
activities, including, for example, compulsory sports, rehabilitative activities for children
with disabilities or domestic chores, particularly for girls, which allow little or no time forself-directed activities. Where Government investment exists, it tends to focus on organizedcompetitive recreation, or sometimes children are required or pressured to participate inyouth organizations not of their own choosing. Children are entitled to time that is notdetermined or controlled by adults, as well as time in which they are free of any demands –basically to do “nothing, if they so desire. Indeed, the absence of activity can serve as a
stimulus to creativity. Narrowly focusing all of a child’s leisure time into programmed orcompetitive activities can be damaging to his or her physical, emotional, cognitive andsocial well-being.6
43.
Neglect of article 31 in development programmes: Early childhood care anddevelopment work in many countries focuses exclusively on issues of child survival withno attention paid to the conditions that enable children to thrive. Programmes often only
deal with nutrition, immunization and preschool education with little or no emphasis onplay, recreation, culture and the arts. The personnel running the programmes are notappropriately trained to support these aspects of the child’s development needs.
44.
Lack of investment in cultural and artistic opportunities for children:Children’s access to cultural and artistic activities are often restricted by a range of factors,
including lack of parental support; cost of access; lack of transport; the adult-centred focus

6

Marta Santos Pais, “The Convention on the Rights of the Child,” in OHCHR, Manual on Human
Rights Reporting (Geneva, 1997), pp. 393 to 505.

13

CRC/C/GC/17

of many exhibitions, plays and events; failure to engage children in the content, design,
location and forms of provision. Greater emphasis is needed in the creation of spaces tostimulate creativity. Operators of arts and cultural venues should look beyond their physicalspaces to consider how their programmes reflect and respond to the cultural lives of thecommunity they represent. Children’s participation in the arts requires a more child-centred
approach which commissions and displays children’s creations and also engages them inthe structure and programmes offered. Such engagement during childhood can serve tostimulate cultural interests for life.
45.
Growing role of electronic media: Children in all regions of the world are spending
increasing periods of time engaged in play, recreational, cultural and artistic activities, bothas consumers and creators, via various digital platforms and media, including watching
television, messaging, social networking, gaming, texting, listening to and creating music,
watching and making videos and films, creating new art forms, posting images. Informationand communication technologies are emerging as a central dimension of children’s daily
reality. Today, children move seamlessly between offline and online environments. These
platforms offer huge benefits – educationally, socially and culturally – and States areencouraged to take all necessary measures to ensure equality of opportunity for all children
to experience those benefits. Access to the Internet and social media is central to therealization of article 31 rights in the globalized environment.
46.
However, the Committee is concerned at the growing body of evidence indicating
the extent to which these environments, as well as the amounts of time children spendinteracting with them, can also contribute to significant potential risk and harm to children.7
For example:

7

14

-

Access to the Internet and social media is exposing children to cyberbullying,
pornography and cybergrooming. Many children attend Internet cafes, computerclubs and game halls with no adequate restrictions to access or effective
monitoring systems;-

The increasing levels of participation, particularly among boys, in violent video
games appears to be linked to aggressive behaviour as the games are highly
engaging and interactive and reward violent behaviour. As they tend to be played
repeatedly, negative learning is strengthened and can contribute to reduced
sensitivity to the pain and suffering of others as well as aggressive or harmful
behaviour toward others. The growing opportunities for online gaming, wherechildren may be exposed to a global network of users without filters orprotections, are also a cause for concern.

-

Much of the media, particularly mainstream television, fail to reflect thelanguage, cultural values and creativity of the diversity of cultures that exist
across society. Not only does such monocultural viewing limit opportunities for
all children to benefit from the potential breadth of cultural activity available, but
it can also serve to affirm a lower value on non-mainstream cultures. Television
is also contributing to the loss of many childhood games, songs, rhymes
traditionally transmitted from generation to generation on the street and in theplayground;-

Growing dependence on screen-related activities is thought to be associated with
reduced levels of physical activity among children, poor sleep patterns, growing
levels of obesity and other related illnesses.

UNICEF, Child Safety Online: Global Challenges and Strategies. Technical report (Florence,
Innocenti Research Centre, 2012).

CRC/C/GC/17

47.
Marketing and commercialization of play: The Committee is concerned that many
children and their families are exposed to increasing levels of unregulatedcommercialization and marketing by toy and game manufacturers. Parents are pressured topurchase a growing number of products which may be harmful to their children’sdevelopment or are antithetical to creative play, such as products that promote television
programmes with established characters and storylines which impede imaginative
exploration; toys with microchips which render the child as a passive observer; kits with apre-determined pattern of activity; toys that promote traditional gender stereotypes or earlysexualization of girls; toys containing dangerous parts or chemicals; realistic war toys andgames. Global marketing can also serve to weaken children’s participation in the traditional
cultural and artistic life of their community.

VII. Children requiring particular attention to realize their rights
under article 31
48.
Girls: A combination of significant burdens of domestic responsibilities and sibling
and family care, protective concerns on the part of parents, lack of appropriate facilities andcultural assumptions imposing limitations on the expectations and behaviour of girls canserve to diminish their opportunities to enjoy the rights provided for in article 31,
particularly in the adolescent years. In addition, gender differentiation in what is consideredgirls’ and boys’ play and which is widely reinforced by parents, caregivers, the media andproducers/manufacturers of games and toys serve to maintain traditional gender-role
divisions in society. Evidence indicates that whereas boys’ games prepare them forsuccessful performance in a wide range of professional and other settings in modern society,girls’ games, in contrast, tend to direct them towards the private sphere of the home andfuture roles as wives and mothers. Adolescent boys and girls are often discouraged fromengaging in joint recreational activities. Furthermore, girls generally have lower
participation rates in physical activities and organized games as a consequence of either
external cultural or self-imposed exclusion or lack of appropriate provision. This pattern isof concern in the light of the proven physical, psychological, social and intellectual benefits
associated with participation in sports activities. 8 Given these widespread and pervasive
barriers impeding girls’ realization of their rights under article 31, the Committee urges
States parties to take action to challenge gender stereotypes which serve to compound andreinforce patterns of discrimination and inequality of opportunity.
49.
Children living in poverty: Lack of access to facilities, inability to afford the costsof participation, dangerous and neglected neighbourhoods, the necessity to work and asense of powerlessness and marginalization all serve to exclude the poorest children fromrealizing the rights provided for in article 31. For many, the risks to their health and safety
outside the home are compounded by home environments which provide no or little spaceor scope for play or recreation. Children without parents are particularly vulnerable to lossof their rights under article 31; children in street situations are not afforded play provisions,and are commonly actively excluded from city parks and playgrounds, although they use
their own creativity to utilize the informal setting of the streets for play opportunities.
Municipal authorities must recognize the importance of parks and playgrounds for therealization of the rights provided for under article 31 by children living in poverty andengage in dialogue with them in respect of policing, planning and development initiatives.
States need to take action to ensure both access to and opportunities for cultural and artistic
activities for all children, as well as equal opportunities for play and recreation.

8

UNESCO, International Charter of Physical Education and Sport, 1978.

15

CRC/C/GC/17

50.
Children with disabilities: Multiple barriers impede access by children withdisabilities to the rights provided for in article 31, including exclusion from school;
informal and social arenas where friendships are formed and where play and recreation takeplace; isolation at the home; cultural attitudes and negative stereotypes which are hostile toand rejecting of children with disabilities; physical inaccessibility of, inter alia, public
spaces, parks, playgrounds and equipment, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, sports facilities
and arenas; policies that exclude them from sporting or cultural venues on the grounds ofsafety; communication barriers and failure to provide interpretation and adaptive
technology; lack of accessible transport. Children with disabilities can also be hindered in
the enjoyment of their rights if investment is not made to render radio, television,
computers and tablets accessible, including through the use of assistive technologies. In thisregard, the Committee welcomes article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities which emphasizes the obligations of States parties to ensure that children withdisabilities have equal access with other children to participation in play, recreation,
sporting and leisure activities, including in the mainstream school system. Pro-active
measures are needed to remove barriers and promote accessibility to and availability ofinclusive opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in all these activities.9
51.
Children in institutions: Many children spend all or part of their childhood in
institutions, including, inter alia, residential homes and schools, hospitals, detention centres,
remand homes and refugee centres, where opportunities for play, recreation andparticipation in cultural and artistic life may be limited or denied. The Committee stresses
the need for States to work towards the de-institutionalization of children; but until thatgoal is reached, States should adopt measures to ensure that all such institutions guarantee
both spaces and opportunities for children to associate with their peers in the community, toplay and to participate in games, physical exercise, cultural and artistic life. Such measures
should not be restricted to compulsory or organized activities; safe and stimulating
environments are needed for children to engage in free play and recreation. Wherever
possible, children should be afforded these opportunities within local communities.
Children living in institutions for significant periods of time also require appropriate
literature, periodicals and access to the Internet, as well as support to enable them to makeuse of such resources. Availability of time, appropriate space, adequate resources andequipment, trained and motivated staff and provision of dedicated budgets are needed tocreate the necessary environments to ensure that every child living in an institution canrealize his or her rights under article 31.
52.
Children from indigenous and minority communities: Ethnic, religious, racial or
caste discrimination can serve to exclude children from realizing their rights under article
31. Hostility, assimilation policies, rejection, violence and discrimination may result inbarriers to enjoyment by indigenous and minority children of their own cultural practices,
rituals and celebrations, as well as to their participation in sports, games, cultural activities,
play and recreation alongside other children. States have an obligation to recognize, protect
and respect the right of minority groups to take part in the cultural and recreational life of
the society in which they live, as well as to conserve, promote and develop their own
culture.10 However, children from indigenous communities also have the right to experienceand explore cultures beyond the boundaries of their own family traditions. Cultural andartistic programmes must be based on inclusion, participation and non-discrimination.
53.
Children in situations of conflict, humanitarian and natural disasters: The
rights provided for in article 31 are often given lower priority in situations of conflict or
9
10

16

General comment No. 9 (2006) on the rights of children with disabilities.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (General Assembly resolution
61/295, annex).

CRC/C/GC/17

disaster than the provision of food, shelter and medicines. However, in these situations,
opportunities for play, recreation and cultural activity can play a significant therapeutic andrehabilitative role in helping children recover a sense of normality and joy after theirexperience of loss, dislocation and trauma. Play, music, poetry or drama can help refugee
children and children who have experienced bereavement, violence, abuse or exploitation,for example, to overcome emotional pain and regain control over their lives. Such activities
can restore a sense of identity, help them make meaning of what has happened to them, andenable them experience fun and enjoyment. Participation in cultural or artistic activities, aswell as in play and recreation, offers children an opportunity to engage in a sharedexperience, to re-build a sense of personal value and self-worth, to explore their own
creativity and to achieve a sense of connectedness and belonging. Settings for play also
provide opportunities for monitors to identify children suffering from the harmful impact ofconflict.

VIII. States parties’ obligations
54.
Article 31 imposes three obligations on States parties to guarantee that the rights itcovers are realized by every child without discrimination:(a)
The obligation to respect requires States parties to refrain from interfering,
directly or indirectly, in the enjoyment of the rights provided for in article 31;(b)
The obligation to protect requires States parties to take steps to prevent third
parties from interfering in the rights under article 31;(c)
The obligation to fulfil requires States parties to introduce the necessary
legislative, administrative, judicial, budgetary, promotional and other measures aimed at
facilitating the full enjoyment of the rights provided for in article 31 by undertaking action
to make available all necessary services, provision and opportunities.
55.
While the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides
for the progressive realization of economic, social and cultural rights and recognizes the
problems arising from limited resources, it imposes on States parties the specific andcontinuing obligation, even where resources are inadequate, to “strive to ensure the widest
possible enjoyment of the relevant rights under the prevailing circumstances”11. As such, noregressive measures in relation to the rights under article 31 are permitted. Should any suchdeliberate measure be taken, the State would have to prove that it has carefully considered
all the alternatives, including giving due weight to children’s expressed views on the issue,
and that the decision was justified, bearing in mind all other rights provided for in theConvention.
56.
The obligation to respect includes the adoption of specific measures aimed atachieving respect for the right of every child, individually or in association with others, torealise his or her rights under article 31, including:(a)Support for caregivers: Guidance, support and facilitation with regard to therights under article 31should be provided to parents and caregivers in line with article 18,
paragraph 2, of the Convention. Such support could be in the form of practical guidance,
for example, on how to listen to children while playing; create environments that facilitatechildren’s play; allow children to play freely and play with children. It could also address
the importance of encouraging creativity and dexterity; balancing safety and discovery; the11Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 3 (1990) on the nature ofStates parties obligations, para. 11.

17

CRC/C/GC/17

developmental value of play and guided exposure to cultural, artistic and recreational
activities.
(b)
Awareness raising: States should invest in measures to challenge
widespread cultural attitudes which attach low value to the rights provided for in article 31,
including:-Public awareness of both the right to and the significance of play, recreation, rest,
leisure and participation in cultural and artistic activities for both boys and girlsof all ages in contributing to the enjoyment of childhood, promoting the optimum
development of the child and building positive learning environments;-

Measures to challenge the pervasive negative attitudes, particularly towards
adolescents, which lead to restrictions on the opportunities for the enjoyment of
their rights under article 31. In particular, opportunities should be created forchildren to represent themselves in the media.

57.
The obligation to protect requires that States parties take action to prevent third
parties from interfering in or restricting the rights provided for in article 31. Accordingly,
States are obliged to ensure:(a)
Non-discrimination: Legislation is required to guarantee access for every
child, without discrimination on any ground, to all recreational, cultural and artistic
environments, including public and private spaces, natural spaces, parks, playgrounds,
sporting venues, museums, cinemas, libraries, theatres, as well as to cultural activities,
services and events;(b)
Regulation of non-State actors: Legislation, regulations and guidelines
should be introduced, together with the necessary budgetary allocation and effective
mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement, to ensure that all members of civil society,including the corporate sector, comply with the provisions of article 31, including, inter
alia:

12

18

-

mployment protection for all children to guarantee appropriate limitations on
the nature, hours and days of work, rest periods and facilities for recreation andrest, consistent with their evolving capacities. States are also encouraged to ratify
and implement ILO conventions Nos. 79, 90, 138 and 182;12-

stablishment of safety and accessibility standards for all play and recreational
facilities, toys and games equipment;-

Obligations to incorporate provision and opportunity for the realization of therights under article 31 in urban and rural development proposals;-Protection from cultural, artistic or recreational material which might beinjurious to children’s well-being, including protection and classification systems
governing media broadcasting and film, taking into account the provisions ofboth article 13 on freedom of expression and article 18 on the responsibilities ofparents;-

Introduction of regulations prohibiting the production of realistic war games andtoys for children;

ILO conventions No. 79 - Night Work of Young Persons (Non-Industrial Occupations); No. 90 Night Work of Young Persons (Industry); No. 138 - Minimum Age Convention; No. 182 - Worst
Forms of Child Labour Convention.

CRC/C/GC/17(c)
Protection of children from harm: Child protection policies, procedures,professional ethics, codes and standards for all professionals working with children in thefield of play, recreation, sports, culture and the arts must be introduced and enforced.
Recognition must also be given to the need to protect children from potential harm that may
be imposed by other children in the exercise of their rights under article 31;13(d)Online safety: Measures should be introduced to promote online access andaccessibility, as well as safety for children. These should include action to empower andinform children to enable them to act safely online, to become confident and responsible
citizens of digital environments and to report abuse or inappropriate activity when it isencountered. Measures are also needed to reduce impunity of abusive adults throughlegislation and international collaboration; limit access to harmful or adult-rated material
and gaming networks; improve information for parents, teachers and policymakers to raiseawareness of the potential harm associated with violent games and develop strategies forpromoting safer and attractive options for children;(e)
Post-conflict safety: Active measures should be taken to restore and protect
the righhts under article 31in post-conflict and disaster situations, including, inter alia:-

ncouraging play and creative expression to promote resilience andpsychological healing;-

Creating or restoring safe spaces, including schools, where children canparticipate in play and recreation as part of the normalization of their lives;-

n areas where landmines pose a threat to the safety of children, investment must
be made to ensure the complete clearing of landmines and cluster-bombs fromall affected areas14;(f)

Marketing and media: Action should be initiated to:-

Review policies concerning the commercialization of toys and games to children,
including through children’s television programmes and directly related
advertisements, with particular regard to those promoting violence, girls or boys
in a sexual way and reinforcing gender and disability stereotypes;-

Limit exposure to advertising during peak viewing hours for children;(g)Complaint mechanisms: Independent, effective, safe and accessible
mechanisms must be in place for children to make complaints and seek redress if theirrights under article 31 are violated15. Children need to know who they can complain to andhow (what procedure) to do so. State are encouraged to sign and ratify the Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure(OPIC), which will allow individual children to submit complaints of violations.
58.
The obligation to fulfil requires that States parties adopt a wide range of measures toensure the fulfilment of all the rights provided for under article 31. In accordance witharticle 12 of the Convention, all such measures, both at the national and local levels, andincluding planning, design, development, implementation and monitoring should be
developed in collaboration with children themselves, as well as NGOs and communitybased organizations, through, for example, children’s clubs and associations, community

13

General comment No. 13 (2011) on the right of the child to freedom from all forms of violence.
Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (Protocol V to the Convention on Certain Conventional
Weapons).
15 General comment No. 2 (2002) on te role of independent national human rights institutions in the
promotion and protection of the rights of the child.
14

19

CRC/C/GC/17

arts and sports groups, representative organizations of children and adults with disabilities,
representatives from minority communities and play organisations 16 . In particular,consideration should be given to the following:(a)Legislation and planning: The Committee strongly encourages States toconsider introducing legislation to ensure the rights under article 31 for every child,
together with a timetable for implementation. Such legislation should address the principleof sufficiency – all children should be given sufficient time and space to exercise theserights. Consideration should also be given to the development of a dedicated plan, policy orframework for article 31 or to its incorporation into an overall national plan of action for
the implementation of the Convention. Such a plan should address the implications ofarticle 31 for boys and girls of all age groups, as well as children in marginalized groups
and communities; it should also recognize that creating time and space for children’s selfdirected activity is as important as the provision of facilities and opportunities for organizedactivities;(b)
Data collection and research: Indicators for compliance, as well asmechanisms for monitoring and evaluating implementation need to be developed in order toensure accountability to children in the fulfilment of obligations under article 31. Statesneed to collect population-based data, disaggregated by age, sex, ethnicity and disability, togain an understanding of the extent and nature of children’s engagement in play, recreationand cultural and artistic life. Such information should inform planning processes, andprovide the basis for measuring progress in implementation. Research is also needed into
the daily lives of children and their caregivers and the impact of housing andneighbourhood conditions in order to understand how they use local environments; thebarriers they encounter in enjoying the rights under article 31; the approaches they adopt tosurmount those barriers and the action needed to achieve greater realization of those rights.
Such research must actively involve children themselves, including children from the mostmarginalized communities;(c)
Cross departmental collaboration in national and municipal
government: Planning for play, recreation and cultural and artistic activities requires abroad and comprehensive approach involving cross-departmental collaboration andaccountability between national, regional and municipal authorities. Relevant departments
include not only those dealing directly with children, such as health, education, social
services, child protection, culture, recreation and sports, but also those concerned withwater and sanitation, housing, parks, transport, environment and city planning, all of which
impact significantly on the creation of environments in which children can realize theirrights under article 31;(d)Budgets: Budgets should be reviewed to ensure that the allocation forchildren, in respect of cultural, artistic, sports, recreational and play activities, is inclusiveand consistent with their representation as a proportion of the population as a whole, anddistributed across the provision for children of all ages, for example: budgetary support forthe production and dissemination of children’s books, magazines and papers; various
formal and non-formal artistic expressions for children; accessible equipment and buildings
and public spaces; resources for facilities such as sports clubs or youth centres.
Consideration should be given to the cost of measures required to ensure access for themost marginalized children, including the obligation to provide reasonable accommodation
to ensure equality of access for children with disabilities;

16

20

General comment No. 12 (2009) on the right of the child to be heard.

CRC/C/GC/17(e)
Universal design17: Investment in universal design is necessary with regard
to play, recreational, cultural, arts and sports facilities, buildings, equipment and services,consistent with the obligations to promote inclusion and protect children with disabilities
from discrimination. States should engage with non-State actors to ensure theimplementation of universal design in the planning and production of all materials andvenues, for example, accessible entrances to be used by wheelchair users and inclusive
design for play environments, including those in schools;(f)Municipal planning: Local municipalities should assess provision of play
and recreation facilities to guarantee equality of access by all groups of children, including
through child-impact assessments. Consistent with the obligations under article 31, publicplanning must place a priority on the creation of environments which promote the wellbeing of the child. In order to achieve the necessary child-friendly urban and rural
environments, consideration should be given to, inter alia:-

Availability of inclusive parks, community centres, sports and playgrounds thatare safe and accessible to all children;-

Creation of a safe living environment for free play, including design of zones inwhich players, pedestrians and bikers have priority;-

Public safety measures to protect areas for play and recreation from individuals
or groups who threaten children’s safety;-

Provision of access to landscaped green areas, large open spaces and nature forplay and recreation, with safe, affordable and accessible transport;-

Road traffic measures, including speed limits, levels of pollution, school
crossings, traffic lights, and calming measures to ensure the rights of children toplay safely within their local communities;-

Provision of clubs, sports facilities, organized games and activities for both girls
and boys of all ages and from all communities;-

Dedicated and affordable cultural activities for children of all ages and from allcommunities, including theatre, dance, music, art exhibitions, libraries andcinema. Such provision should comprise opportunities for children to produce
and create their own cultural forms as well as exposure to activities produced byadults for children;-

Review of all cultural policies, programmes and institutions to ensure theiraccessibility and relevance for all children and to ensure that they take into
account the needs and aspirations of children and support their emerging cultural
practices;(g)
Schools: Educational environments should play a major role in fulfilling theobligations under article 31, including:-17

Physical environment of settings: States parties should aim to ensure theprovision of adequate indoor and outdoor space to facilitate play, sports, gamesand drama, during and around school hours; active promotion of equal
opportunities for both girls and boys to play; adequate sanitation facilities forboys and girls; playgrounds, play landscapes and equipment that are safe and

The term "universal design" was coined by Ronald Mace to describe the concept of designing all
products and the built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible byeveryone, regardless of their age, ability or status in life; see also art. 4, para. 1 (f) of the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

21CRC/C/GC/17

properly and regularly inspected; playgrounds with appropriate boundaries;
equipment and spaces designed to enable all children, including children withdisabilities, to participate equally; play areas which afford opportunities for all
forms of play; location and design of play areas with adequate protection andwith the involvement of children in the design and development;-

Structure of the day: Statutory provision, including homework, should
guarantee appropriate time during the day to ensure that children have sufficient
opportunity for rest and play, in accordance with their age and developmental
needs;-

School curriculum: Consistent with obligations under article 29 concerning theaims of education, appropriate time and expertise must be allocated within theschool curriculum for children to learn, participate in and generate cultural andartistic activities, including music, drama, literature, poetry and art, as well as
sports and games;18-

Educational pedagogy: Learning environments should be active andparticipatory and offer, especially in the early years, playful activities and formsof engagement;(h)Training and capacity-building: All professionals working with or forchildren, or whose work impacts on children (Government officials, educators, healthprofessionals, social workers, early years and care workers, planners and architects, etc.),
should receive systematic and ongoing training on the human rights of children, including
the rights embodied in article 31. Such training should include guidance on how to createand sustain environments in which the rights under article 31 can be most effectively
realized by all children.
59.
International cooperation: The Committee encourages international cooperation in
the realization of the rights provided for in article 31 through the active engagement of
United Nations agencies including UNICEF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UN Habitat, UNOSDP,
UNDP, UNEP and WHO, as well as international, national and local NGOs.

IX. Dissemination
60.
The Committee recommends that States parties disseminate this general commentwidely within Government and administrative structures, to parents, other caregivers,
children, professional organizations, communities and civil society at large. All channels ofdissemination, including print media, the Internet and children’s own communicationmeans should be used. This will necessitate translation into relevant languages, including
sign languages, Braille and easy-to-read formats for children with disabilities. It also
requires making culturally appropriate and child-friendly versions available.
61.
States parties are also encouraged to report fully to the Committee on the Rights of
the Child on the measures they have adopted to encourage the full implementation of article
31 for all children.

18

22

General comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education.