|
Canada 's efforts to make child rights a reality
Canada took a lead role in the United Nations working group that transformed the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child into the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Canada ratified the Convention in 1991 and submits reports every five years to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children and other Canadian groups have also submitted parallel reports that document from the non-governmental perspective the successes and shortcomings of Canada's efforts.
Canada also took a lead in promoting the first World Summit for Children, in 1990, which greatly contributed to the near universal acceptance of the Convention.
In 1992 the Canadian government announced Brighter Futures , a five-year action plan that established a number of national programs to address conditions that threatened children's rights.
As a follow-up to Brighter Futures the National Children's Agenda was announced in 1997. The National Children's Agenda committed federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together to improve the well being of Canadian children.
Again on the international stage, Canada was active in promoting child rights at the Special Session on Children in 2002 (the follow up to the 1990 World Summit for Children).
|
In 1993 Canada designated November 20th, the anniversary of both the 1959 Declaration and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, as National Child Day. Every year events to celebrate Canada 's children are held on this day.
Consider doing something on November 20 th to promote children's rights. For ideas on getting students involved, check out the activities in the KWC Students' Action Guide or visit the National Child Day website at http://www.childday.gc.ca
|
Notably, the Canadian government worked to ensure that children themselves were able to participate in shaping the global declaration and a ten-year plan of action to improve the lives of children globally called A World Fit for Children. Canadian children were able to make their concerns heard through national consultations that resulted in the report A Canada Fit for Children.
Adapted from NPA website
Rights Violations in Canada
Certainly, Canadian children have more opportunities and protections than in the past. But it may surprise you to know, that in Canada the rights of all children are not fully protected, promoted and respected and our government has been criticized by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child for not doing enough.
Children's rights are violated when government funding for education programs or programs to support children with special needs are cut. Article 28 of the Convention says education is a basic right and Article 23 says governments must provide supports for children with disabilities.
Since the 1990s, Canadian families' use of food banks has gone up dramatically, and 40% of these families include children. Thousands of children in Canada live below the poverty line and some are even homeless. These facts violate of Articles 26 and 27, which say a child has the right to social security and an adequate standard of living.
Young people of colour and aboriginal youth are at greater risk of living in poverty and having their rights abused. Article 2 of the Convention says all children must enjoy their rights equally regardless of who they are and Article 30 promises additional protection to children from indigenous and minority communities.
Article 4 of the Convention says that governments must do all they can to realize children's rights, and it's up to everyone to lobby our government to ensure that they live up to their commitment to the implement the Convention.
|
Questions for Reflection or Discussion
* What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word right?
* What is another word for right? How would you define rights? What are they for?
* Who has rights? Where do rights come from?
* What would a world with out rights be like? What would a world where rights were respected all the time be like?
* Why are some rights respected more than others?
* Adults and children have different rights, is that fair? Why or why not?
* When and how did you first learn about justice and fairness?
|
|
