Celebrating National Child Day To Honour The Rights Of Children
As we roll into November, there is bound to be a lot of excitement surrounding the forthcoming holiday season. It’s important to acknowledge, however, that there are some very special days in the month of November. The first is one you might easily recognize. On November 11th, we observe Remembrance Day. It’s a day when Canada honours its armed forces members who died in the line of duty.
November 20th is National Child Day.
On the 20th of November, Canadians celebrate another day that deserves much more recognition than it tends to get. It’s National Child Day. This special occasion acknowledges the importance of children’s rights and our country’s commitment to upholding them.
As the Canadian Child Care Federation informs us “National Child Day was proclaimed by the Government of Canada on March 19th, 1993 to commemorate two historic events for children: the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959, and the UN adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989.”
There are 8 million kids in Canada.
Children First Canada reveals that there are about 8 million kids in Canada. They all have something in common – their rights! This is why this year’s theme is #8MillionEmpowered. It highlights our collective goal to empower all 8 million kids in Canada by defending their rights and ensuring they have the support to thrive.
“Children and youth are not merely future dreamers, but present-day innovators, leaders and changemakers,” says the Children First Canada website, “They are setting the stage for a brighter, more inclusive Canada with compassion, courage and conviction. Empowered young people can make a difference now, not just someday.”
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child!
As we noted, in 1989, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As the Public Health Agency of Canada explains, it is based on four basic principles: non-discrimination; best interests of the child; right to survival and development; and participation.
The first principle insists that all children have rights and they must be respected without discrimination. The second encourages us to think about what is best for children whenever decisions are made that affect their lives. Principle #3 demands governments to help children live and grow to be the best they can be.
Finally, “children have the right to give their opinions in all matters that affect them and to have their voices heard. Their views should always be taken seriously and they should have more say as they grow older.”
There are many ways to celebrate National Child Day.
Firstly, you can wear a royal blue ribbon. This shows that you support Canada’s children having prime consideration in all economic, social and political decisions, policies, programs and expenditures. The Canadian Child Care Federation also highly recommends engaging with children in ways that demonstrate your care and respect for them. Attend special events with them, ask them for advice and introduce them to your place of work.
These are just a few small ways to enrich the lives of the kids you care about. At SOS 4 Kids, we care a great deal about child safety. Our Babysitter’s Course teaches children, aged 11 to 15, how to supervise young kids in a safe and responsible manner. To learn all about it, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 1-844-373-1024. You may also email us at [email protected] or fill out the form on our Contact page!
