File photo of children at a playground courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / gpointstudioFile photo of children at a playground courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / gpointstudio
Midwestern

Huron and Perth Charter of Rights of Children created

Childcare providers, community agencies and both school boards in Huron and Perth counties have created a Charter of Rights of Children and Youth.

They collaborated with children from across the region to create the document, which follows the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children which was signed by Canada in 1990

That convention said children have the right to protection from abuse, exploitation, and harm. It also said that basic needs, education, health care are rights.

The local Charter of Rights of Children and Youth will appear as a calendar that will be distributed in December across Huron and Perth Counties in places such as schools and libraries

The calendar will feature the artwork and faces of children and youth from Huron and Perth, as they explain what rights mean to them.

“Several organizations and agencies in Huron and Perth Counties came together in 2014 to plan this project,” said Diane Millian with Huron County Children’s Services. “In the spring of 2019, preschool, elementary and secondary school-aged children and youth from across Huron and Perth were invited to identify their rights through their actions, words and art. Twelve common themes emerged, which we have placed into the calendar.”

Mary-Jo Drager with HPCDSB, and Jodi Regier, with AMDSB, give thanks to the children and youth for sharing their voices.

“The contribution of the children’s thoughts and expressions, from preschool through secondary school, was invaluable to creating the basis for a local Charter that reflects the voices of the children and youth it is intended to represent,” said Regier.

Over the coming year, the voices of children and youth will continue to be heard as we invite them to share what their responsibilities are when it comes to each right. From there, the responsibilities that we have as adults in ensuring their rights will also be developed.

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