The Coalition and the Convention on the Rights of the Child

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.

Accomplishments

The coalition was formed right after the CRC was adopted in 1989, to focus attention on the rights of children in Canada. The coalition celebrates many achievements:

  • Canada ratified the CRC on December, 1991 in the presence of the coalition and youth delegates from each of the provinces and territories.
  • Children from all parts of Canada have participated in consultations on matters that affect them, with the support of coalition members. Canadian children have participated in the World Summit for Children, the Earth Summit, and the UN Special Session for Children, and other national and international events.
  • The Coalition provided policy recommendations for Canada’s participation in the UN Special Session for Children, and for Canada’s Action Plan, entitled “A Canada Fit for Children.”
  • The Coalition provides a vehicle for Canadian civil society organizations to participate in the regular five-year reviews of Canada’s implementation of the CRC before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
  • The Coalition makes submissions on policy proposals before parliament from the perspective of children’s rights.
  • Every year the Coalition provides a child-rights analysis of the federal budget.

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