National Child Day (NCD) is a day to recognize the rights of children, youth, and adolescents. Marked on November 20, Canada has made a commitment to ensure that children are treated with dignity, respect, and are given opportunities to reach their full potential. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has developed and implemented 54 articles that are essential in raising healthy and happy children and youth. The commitment within these articles includes children having the right to the best health care and other basic needs, the right to voice their opinion, and the right to a good quality education.
You can show support in many ways to celebrate the rights of children and youth. The following are ways to contribute:
- Go blue – Encourage your friends, colleagues, and community to join in by wearing blue clothes, painting your nails blue, or writing messages in blue. Be creative!
- Be active on social media – Tag @NatlChildDay on your posts and use the hashtag #NationalChildDay and #childrenhaverights to reach larger audiences.
- Follow @NatlChildDay on Twitter – Follow along with facts about NCD starting at the beginning of the month!
- Learn about children’s rights and the 54 articles.
- Provide opportunities for children and youth to learn about their rights and how they can contribute to their own prospects, but also in the community that they reside in.
- Show support nationally by donating to charities supporting children and their future.
- Spend the day with a child or youth in your family or community (an event, a meal, an activity).
- Be thankful to those who were in your life when you were a child.
Increasing awareness of children’s rights will help to promote and improve the health and wellness of Canadian children and youth. We all play a significant role so let’s utilize our individual resources to make every day National Child Day!
