Celebrating National Child Day
"Around the world, children are showing us their strength and leadership advocating for a more sustainable world for all. Let’s build on advances and re-commit to putting children first. For every child, every right."
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres
More on World Children's Day on the UN's Webpage.
More on the Convention of Children's Right's
A message to children and families,
I just wanted to say “Hi.” I haven’t gotten the chance to see much of you during these challenging times, but I’ve been trying to peak my head into the playrooms to watch and see how you’re doing.
I just want to let you know that I am continually inspired by you. The way you discover, interpret, collaborate, and imagine your way through our world amazes me. It leaves me in awe. Your display of resilience and understanding as we continue to navigate through these times inspires me.
Things are kind of complicated right now, but the way I see you find joy, and make sense of what’s happening has instilled a sense of faith that our future is in good hands. You are capable and competent in your daily processes of democratic decision-making, developing skills that will be instrumental once you become the leaders of tomorrow.
UNICEF and its partners are calling on governments to support their plan to protect children. Intercultural Child & Family Centre and 1000 Women Child Care Centre believe in and echo their mission:
- You have the right to play and rest.
- You have the right to give your opinion, and for adults to take it seriously.
- Your education should help you use and develop your talents and abilities. It should also help you learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.
- You have the right to practice your culture, language and religion. Minority and indigenous groups need special protection of this right.
(These articles and more listed in a child friendly language:
https://www.unicef.org/sop/convention-rights-child-child-friendly-version)
With this commitment, Intercultural Child & Family Centre and 1000 Women Child Care have a commitment as educators to be stewards of the present to make a better tomorrow for our children. My wish for you is that you continue to explore, continue to be curious and question, find a way to navigate through the challenges you’re facing, and advocate your own rights. My commitment is to support our team, volunteers, and members of our community in doing what we can to help each other along your individual and unique journeys through childhood and onwards.
With lots of love,
Jasvinder Heran
(A link to the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta, and what quality in childcare means
https://aecea.ca/public)
