National Child Day is celebrated on November 20th every year in Canada, and is a special day to celebrate children and youth, and their rights. It recognizes Canada’s commitment to protect and uphold the rights of all young people.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the most widely endorsed human rights treaty in the world today. This child rights framework exists because children and youth are a unique group and require special protection of their rights. The UNCRC is rooted in the principles of non-discrimination, best interests of the child, life, survival and development, and participation. It’s incumbent on all of us to be aware of the UNCRC so we can share this information with young people we know.
“While we have made advancements in the promotion and protection of children’s rights, we still have work to do. On National Child Day we celebrate children and youth, their rights and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are amplified in matters affecting them”. Linda Clemens Spurrell, Child and Youth Advocate
National Child Day is a day dedicated to celebrating and promoting awareness of these rights, however, these rights are important all year long. The mandate of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate includes advancing education and awareness of child and youth rights. We welcome opportunities to share information about our Office and rights with young people, as well as adults who work with and support young people.
We invite you to visit our website, which contains many resource materials regarding the rights of children and youth (www.childandyouthadvocate.nl.ca).
Blue is the color worn to celebrate National Child Day. We will be wearing blue and participating in various activities throughout the day (and week). We would love to see what you are doing to recognize this special day, so tag us @OCYANL.
The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate can be reached at:
Toll free: 1-877-753-3888 Email 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