Yesterday was National Child Day here in Canada and around the world people were recognizing the 25th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). True, it’s an important document filled with promise for the betterment of children and youth but what’s more important than words on paper is how governments and individuals breathe life into it and ensure that the rights outlined in the UNCRC are upheld, honoured and respected.
We find it an interesting message to Canada’s children that they matter enough for the government to designate and celebrate such as day, yet we still have organizations having to bring the government to court to protect some of those very rights enshrined in the UNCRC and signed onto by Canada. What message do children and youth receive when they learn that their governments through legislation, policy or process actively deny them their rights? How do young people feel when they then see the government fighting in court or in tribunals for the ability to continue to deny certain children the protections that are guaranteed to them under this Convention.
As we thought about this year what matters more than National Child Day when governments, systems and organizations are sharing their successes is in fact the day after National Child Day. This is the day to explore how the four guiding principles of the UNCRC are being respected here in Canada. This is the day to look at what’s working and challenge what isn’t. Today and the 363 days of actions by government and individuals, that is what will really matter to children and youth in Canada.
Here is our thoughts, on the day after, about what’s happening and recognizing that what matters is that there are individuals creating change, that their work and roles in the community and country are important and how their efforts are helping ensure that all children belong.
- All children and youth have the basic right to life, survival, and development.
The sad reality for many children and youth in Canada is that their basic survival and healthy development is at risk – and that too often it is systems, policies and legislation that are not only creating this risk – but also perpetuating it.
Thinking back to the news coming out of Winnipeg this year, it’s hard not to wonder if Indigenous girls and young women or their families in Winnipeg feel like any level of government is really doing all they can to ensure this principle and the accompanying rights are being protected.
What about young men of colour in Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods? Do they wonder what legislation, protocols and policies are doing to ensure their survival and healthy development? How do
In cities across Canada, including Toronto there are powerful grassroots movements of youth serving – and often youth led organizations working diligently to create change for young people. In Toronto these organizations, such as RISE Edutainment, For Youth Initiative, Redemption Reintegration Services and others ensure children and youth are growing up in safe communities with opportunities to overcome challenges that are often created by the systems in place, in theory to ensure their right to life, survival, and development. The individuals inside these organizations provide space for young people to heal, succeed and become the next generation of community leaders.
- All children and youth have the same rights and must be treated equally.
Thankfully there are organizations such as the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada (the Caring Society) and champions such as Cindy Blackstock who are working to ensure this happens in Canada but again, what message are we sending to First Nation children and youth in care who have been inequitably supported by the Federal Government. What about students in First Nation schools, again, many without the same opportunities as those in provincially funded systems. Though many governments have signed onto Jordan’s Principle which calls on the government of first contact to pay for health services and seek reimbursement there continues to be challenges in putting it into practice. Though it was unanimously passed in the House of Commons in 2007 the Canadian Paediatric Society reports that neither the Federal government nor Provinces/Territories have fully implemented Jordan’s Principle. Learn more about the work of the Caring Society at http://www.fncaringsociety.com/main.
The question of whether children and youth are treated equally in Canada is easy to answer: No, they are not. Class, race, gender, health, identity and special needs – they all create inequities that leave children and their families to have to overcome. Look at your own communities – and ask yourself if students in one school versus another have the same experience, opportunity and access to learning materials. The answer is often no. Look at provisions in provincial or territorial health guidelines and supports and offered to families and children with special needs. Again, the answer is often no.
Thankfully there are bodies such as the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in Ontario, led by Irwin Elman who, along with his counterparts across Canada as members of the Canadian Council of Child & Youth Advocates that are working to ensure that children have equitable access to services and supports and resources. Yet again, much of their work involves holding to account their own provincial or Territorial governments to honour this protection.
How long will ensuring equality for all children remain a fight in Canada?
- The best interests of children and youth must be the primary consideration in all policies and decisions that affect them.
We can get stuck on the word ‘primary’ – and trust us, we do sometimes, as it’s hard to see this taking shape in Canada, though in communities across Canada an increasing number of movements are helping ensure this is the case.
We have been given the opportunity to be involved in some of these movements in communities such as Kingston, Ontario who with the support of the local municipal government and other funders, 40 community organizations and hundreds of local youth there has been the development of The Kingston Youth Strategy and Community Action Plan. This has spawned continuing action by those involved in order to keep working to make decisions through a youth lens.
In Paul First Nation we are witness to actions being taken within the community and by organizations providing services and support in the community keeping the best interests of Paul First Nation children and youth in the forefront. Community members, including youth are organizing activities and opportunities with the support of the Nation, local school, community organizations and Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services. With the support of Alberta Human Services the development in the community of a Suicide Prevention and Life Celebration Strategy, a series of recommendations and action items that can taken on by governments, organizations, community members and young people is an example of addressing challenging issues while keeping the interests of children and youth as the primary consideration. It’s brave and courageous and this is what is needed to ensure this right is protected.
These shifts and change at local levels we hope will be seen by other levels of government and modelled after – to ensure that when decisions are made, it is with the best interests of children and youth in mind.
- The views of children and youth should be taken into account in all decisions concerning them, with their age and maturity, and developmental capacity taken into consideration.
Again the work of the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in Ontario is one of the strongest examples of this in Canada. They share in their Mission Statement that ‘The Office strives, at every level of its operation to be an exemplar of youth participation.’ If you have ever had a chance to visit their office or see the work they are doing – you will see that in fact they are the exemplar. Their team works vigorously to ensure that young people whose lives are most effected by an issue have a table to learn at, space to create change and the tools and supports not simply to use their voice – but ensure that voice is heard. You can learn more about what is happening at the Office at http://provincialadvocate.on.ca.
There are many other powerful examples of where this is taking place across Canada, within organizations, governments and systems. It is critical to continue to support these voices – and always working to ensure that all voices of children are heard. It is about being creative, brave and courageous. It means being heroic.
Talking about heroic, today, in Winnipeg marks the 3rd anniversary of Meet Me at The Bell Tower – Stop The Violence, a youth anti-violence movement coming out of Winnipeg’s North End spearheaded by AYO! (Aboriginal Youth Opportunities).
If you are in Winnipeg tonight at 6:00 PM, join them at Selkirk and Powers and experience what real change and leadership looks like. You might just get the chance to meet Michael Champagne, also known as North End MC, who is the founder and organizer of AYO! and someone who we think is a living definition of a hero and a continuing inspiration to the Three Things team.
It’s easy to see why we think this as Michael continues to stand up and speak out, continually creates space for others to take the lead, and uses his creativity to create peace. Even after being a victim of violence himself this week on a city street, Michael shares on his blog, “I am going to respond to this violence the same way I have in the past … with LOVE.” (Read his full blog post at northendmc.wordpress.com/word).
Though it is governments responsibility to ensure rights are protected and the UNCRC is acted upon in Canada; we have seen time and again it is individuals who create the real shift – who breathe life into this document daily. It is individuals who demonstrate courage, bravery and commitment. They are the Michaels, the Cindys and the Irwins. What these three have in common is that it’s not at all about them. Each of them is incredibly humble and continually works to create space for others to take the lead and create change. They step back so others can step up. Thinking beyond themselves they care for and nurture others. Though it’s individuals who breathe that life into the UNCRC it is individuals who understand they alone do not have the lung power required.
That said we talk about these heroes who inspire us at Three Things and the many others who day in and day out are working to do the same, because we want to share what they are doing so well. In doing so we have hopes that others follow in their footsteps. So while we acknowledge them and their efforts we take from it the greatest learning – that we are not individualistic in this world. We must work to care for each other, to support one and other and to always remember a rich life is not one focused on ‘the me’ but instead focussed on ‘the we’. There is no us and them. It is simply ‘us’ who can create the needed changes for children and youth in Canada.
So congratulations to all those who help create the safe space and discussions that take place at Meet Me at The Bell Tower – Stop The Violence and know that when the bell rings at 6:00 PM tonight, on your 3rd anniversary it will be heard, with gratitude and honour across the country. It’s us who are hearing that bell and will be inspired all over again to do all we can to continue to create space for all of us to work and make Canada a country that in fact puts the principles of the UNCRC into practice.
Who inspires you? Who in your community is continually working to ensure that the rights of children are upheld? Feel free to use the comment section below to share the great stories of community heroes who make sure all children and youth know they matter, they are important and they belong!