The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate will be celebrating National Child Day on Tuesday, November 20th and throughout the week. Canada established National Child Day to recognize that every child and youth in Canada has fundamental rights which are identified in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Some of these include rights to health, safety, protection, education, justice, culture, and children’s right to be heard in decisions affecting them. People throughout the province are encouraged to recognize and learn more about children’s rights.
While Canada ratified this human rights treaty in 1991, much remains to be done to support, protect and advance children’s rights in Canada and in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate works hard every day to advocate for the rights of children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador and to also help children and adults understand these rights.
The Office will host many activities throughout the week to celebrate and create awareness about children’s rights:
- On Tuesday, November 20th we will visit the Brighter Futures playgroup in Shea Heights. The Child and Youth Advocate will read a book to the children, and a very special surprise guest will help cut a celebration cake.
- Advocacy staff will be on the Burin Peninsula and in the Central Region visiting schools and community organizations.
- Winners of our “Name the Bear” contest will be announced
- Daily tweets (@OCYANL) will highlight specific UNCRC rights.
- Launch of a poster contest for children and youth.
- The week’s activities will end in a very fun way on Saturday when we participate in the City of St. John’s Get Moving Family Event at the Power Plex.
The blue ribbon is the symbol for National Child Day and the Office encourages everyone to wear it to show support for children. “This week is an opportunity to promote children’s rights and to let children know we are all standing up for them. Let your blue ribbon be a symbol of that support,” said Child and Youth Advocate Jackie Lake Kavanagh. Ribbons are available from the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate at 193 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s.
We would love to see how you are celebrating National Child Day. Tag us in your tweets and pictures @OCYANL.
For more information on the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, check out the OCYA website at www.childandyouthadvocate.nl.ca/ or on Twitter @OCYANL
Information on the UNCRC can be found at www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate can be reached by calling (1-877) 753-3888 or emailing office@ocya.nl.ca.
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Media contact
Wilma MacInnis
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
(709) 753-3888
wilmamacinnis@ocya.nl.ca