Child Social Party

Maria Montessori created the Social Party of the Child in this document.

Objectives of the Child Social Party

We affirm that the child has not only the right to live, but also of being considered a citizen of the State.  As a citizen, the child’s human dignity must be recognized and must be respected as the builder of the human being.  The importance of the child’s personality must be consecrated in the moral principles of the human being but also his moral character.  Therefore, the future of society is strictly linked to the child as effects are linked with their causes.  In affirming the importance of infancy for society, we affirm that the child must have equal rights to those of other citizens before the law and other representative assemblies where the laws are discussed.

Therefore we intend to establish:

1. Institutional authorities must be formed in order to represent the interests of the child irrespective of the powers in function.  Therefore:
   
   •    In Parliaments special Members must be elected with the mandate of representing the rights of child and youth in every legislative discussion.
   
   •    A special Ministry for Childhood should be set up in order to comply with the practical necessity for the recognition of the rights of the child, as a citizen of the state, and for coordinating all decisions taken in order to guarantee the life and development of infancy.
2. The rights of the child must be considered in every reform of the laws and in every decision of public interest so that social progress includes a parallel progress for the life of infancy.
3. The Minister of Education, in all questions related to the organization of schools and of programs, should act according to the decisions of the Ministry of the Child and of the Members of Parliament should defend his vital interests.
4. Compulsory education of children and youth must have at its base the protection of the human being along with all his physical and psychic development and must take into consideration the natural and vital needs of the child.  Therefore the programs and forms of practical, intellectual and social education are envisaged in a way that can be in harmony with the needs of society and human development.
5. The care necessary for the physical and psychological wellbeing of infancy must be an indispensable part of compulsory education.
6. For those who wish to marry, the special knowledge of the physical and psychological care of the next generation must become a legally recognized obligation.  A certificate of such studies must become a necessary document for the celebration of the marriage.
7. In the marriage ceremony, the reading of reciprocal duties of the couple must include the duties of parents towards their children.
8. The state must be an attentive guardian of infancy and must integrate the care of the family when there will be inadequate care of the infancy.
9. The problem of the child must be represented and considered in every social movement with the intention of reaching the peace between nations.
10. Infancy must be considered as one nation, the Nation of Humanity, being the children the most numerous and most important persons, therefore of more high authority in respect to any other nation.  Its members are part of all nations and represent their most sacred interest, the interest of life and existence.  Therefore when a League of Nations is formed with the goal of organizing a pacific society, the Nation of Infancy must be legally represented.

Dr. Maria Montessori

Copenaghen, 1937