Children’s Rights
What are children’s rights?
Children's rights, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), represent a set of protections and freedoms that are entitled to every child. The UNCRC was enacted in 1989 and recognizes that all children, regardless of their background, have the right to survival, development, protection, and participation - as a key set of overarching rights. For example, this includes children’s access to education and healthcare, protection from abuse and exploitation, and the right to express their views and be heard.
The UNCRC highlights the principle of the best interests of the child, meaning that all issues that affect children should prioritize children’s well-being, interests, and preferences. It also emphasizes the right to non-discrimination, ensuring equality irrespective of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The UNCRC acknowledges the important role of parents in supporting children’s rights and best interests.
By situating children’s rights in a global framework, the UNCRC seeks to create a world where every child can thrive and reach their full potential. For more information on children’s rights and the UNCRC, you can visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/rights-children.html
A complete copy of the UNCRC can be found https://www.unicef.org/media/52626/file (https://www.unicef.org/media/52626/file)
A child-friendly version of the UNCRC can be found here: https://www.unicef.org/media/60981/file/convention-rights-child-text-child-friendly-version.pdf
Other rights-based resources for practitioners:
United Nations Children’s Fund (2014). Child rights education toolkit. Retrieved from:
https://www.unicef.org/media/77146/file/UNICEF-CRE-Toolkit-with-appendices.pdf
This toolkit defines what is meant by child rights education and the child rights approach. The toolkit explains the relevance of child rights education to UNICEF’s mission and the ways in which education can take place in a range of contexts – including with professionals, caregivers, the corporate sector, the media, and children’s groups.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2021). Discussion Paper. Child Rights Education with Children Aged 0–6 Years (https://www.unicef.org/media/110081/file)
A discussion paper presents the findings of a literature review in relation to child rights education with very young children, and the outcomes of some informal research undertaken with practitioners working on this topic in seven countries.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Child rights and why they matter: A short e-course.
This short course will transform and/or refresh your understanding of child rights and a child rights approach, introduce you to UNICEF’s mandate as it relates to child rights, and inspire you to apply a child rights lens to your everyday work and life.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (2015). Teaching and learning about child rights: A study of implementation in 26 countries.
https://www.unicef.org/media/63086/file/UNICEF-Teaching-and-learning-about-child-rights.pdf
This study explores child rights education in early childhood education, primary and secondary schools in 26 countries. It includes a literature review, results from an online survey completed by national experts, seven country case studies and a series of benchmarking statements to guide implementation of child rights education.
Canadian Coalition of Children’s Rights:
https://rightsofchildren.ca/
The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) brings together organizations and individuals to promote respect for the rights of children. The guiding framework for all Coalition activities is the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Supporting children to develop their full potential is the focus of the comprehensive provisions in the Convention. Canada has ratified the Convention. The focus of the Coalition is full implementation in Canada. It pursues this goal through:
Building a network of interest in children’s rights across the country;
Providing resources for public education about children’s rights;
Monitoring and reporting on the progress of implementation in Canada; and
Sharing analysis of current issues related to children’s rights, and engaging public officials in dialogue about children’s rights.
Child Rights Academic Network (CRAN):
https://carleton.ca/landonpearsoncentre/cran-child-rights-academic-network/
CRAN is a broad network of academics, advocates, children’s rights, and legal experts from across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. who are involved in teaching, researching and advocating for children’s rights. The Landon Pearson Centre established CRAN in 2008, with support from the Muttart Foundation and the Centre For Initiatives on Children, Youth, and Community. The Muttart Foundation continues its generous funding of this initiative. -
International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health (ISSOP):
https://issop.org/
ISSOP focuses on promoting the health and well-being of children through a social determinants approach. They aim to address health inequalities and advocate for the rights of children globally through research and advocacy, education, (inter)national collaboration and conferences as well as workshops. Through these efforts, ISSOP aims to improve child health outcomes and promote equitable access to healthcare for all children.
The Sandbox Project:
https://sandboxproject.ca/
The Sandbox Project is a Canadian initiative focused on promoting the health and well-being of children and youth. It brings together healthcare providers, researchers, and community organizations to address complex challenges affecting child health. By supporting research and advocating for policies that prioritize children's well-being, the project emphasizes a holistic approach. Engaging communities ensures that solutions are relevant and tailored to the needs of children and families, ultimately aiming to make a positive impact across Canada.
The International Network for Research on Inequalities in Child Health (INRICH):
https://inrichnetwork.org/
INRICH aims to share and advance knowledge and research into The International Network for Research on Inequalities in Child Health (INRICH) aims to share and advance knowledge and research into inequalities, social equity, and child policy in child health and well-being. By establishing a scientific community in which research priorities can be identified, collaborative projects established and new researchers encouraged. Our aim is to inform public policies that will promote social equity in child health.
CHIFA:
https://www.hifa.org/forums/chifa-child-health-and-rights
CHIFA (Child Healthcare Information For All) addresses the information and learning needs of those responsible for the care of children in developing countries, including mothers, fathers and family caregivers as well as health workers, researchers and policymakers. Its remit includes children’s rights to health and healthcare, and the social determinants of health. The vision of CHIFA is: A world where every child, every parent and every health worker has access to the health information they need to protect their own health and the health of children for whom they are responsible.