NLIS 1
November 20, 2002
(Health and Community Services)

 

The following statement was issued today by Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services . It was also read in the House of Assembly:

National Child Day

I rise today to recognize National Child Day. November 20 is designated National Child Day around the world and recognizes the ratification of two landmark documents - the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Adopted by 191 states worldwide, the Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most ratified human rights document in history. It recognizes the special rights of children under the age of 18 and outlines the responsibilities of government, families and caregivers to safeguard children.

National Child Day presents an opportunity for all of us to take time from our busy personal and professional lives to acknowledge the tremendous contribution children make. We must recognize a child�s right to happiness, freedom, love, understanding, dignity, equality, tolerance and peace. This year�s theme is A World Fit for Children which reminds all of us of our responsibility to create a world for children where they can thrive and reach their full potential.

In recent years, we as a government have made great strides to improve services and programs for children, youth, their families, and communities.

  • Stepping into the Future, Newfoundland and Labrador�s early childhood development initiative is an agreement between this province and the Government of Canada which will see a total of $36 million invested specifically for early childhood initiatives. This program promotes healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy, strengthens parent and family support, and promotes early childhood learning and care.
  • Another partnership with the federal government is the National Child Benefit Agreement which aims to prevent and reduce child poverty. It supports initiatives such as family resource centres, child care programs, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit program.
  • The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate officially opened this week � a fitting tribute to National Child Day.
  • Our Strategic Social Plan also recognizes that helping children and families early on has major long term benefits. Prevention and early intervention is a key theme, and many of our regional SSP steering committees actively support initiatives that focus our children such as literacy and early learning programs.

We are making great progress with programs to enhance and enrich the lives of our children, and we remain committed to developing initiatives specifically targeted for the benefit of our children. In recognition of National Child Day, a blue ribbon is being distributed to all honourable members, and I ask them to wear it in celebration of our children.

2002 11 19                                        2:30 p.m. 


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