Our Work

The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) is a network of Canadian organizations and individuals who promote respect for the rights of children. Its purpose is to: exchange information; provide public education materials about the Convention on the Rights of the Child; monitor implementation of the Convention in Canada; and engage in dialogue with government officials on child rights issues.

The objectives of the Coalition are:

  1. To uphold human rights in Canada and the world, in accordance with the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child and its related conventions and protocols, by providing relevant public education programs such as workshops and seminars; and
  2. To monitor and report on the implementation of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child in Canada and internationally.

What We Do

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the guiding framework for all activities of the coalition. Those activities include:

  1. Monitoring and promoting the implementation of children’s rights in Canada, in both domestic policies and international relations.  Learn more
  2. Establishing national, provincial,  and local links between groups concerned about the well-being of children, to share information and co-operate in the advancement of children’s rights.
  3. Fostering  education and awareness in Canada about the rights of children, especially among young Canadians. Learn More
  4. Promoting Canada’s role in international bodies that foster children’s rights and engaging Canadians in international initiatives to advance respect for children’s rights.

 

How We Do It

Children’s Rights Monitoring

  • The CCRC brings together Canadian children and 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 CCRC makes submissions on policy proposals before parliament from the perspective of children’s rights.
  • The Coalition provides a child-rights analysis of the federal budget and other national policies.
  • The CCRC helps children from all parts of Canada  participate 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,  the UN Special Session for Children, and other national and international events.
  • The CCRC 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.”

Resources on Children’s Rights

  • The CCRC promotes public education  on children’s rights through resources on its website, presentations to a wide variety of audiences,  newsletters, and information-sharing among its members.
  • The CCRC sponsors public learning events on emerging themes or tools to promote children’s rights.
  • The CCRC fosters analysis and public dialogue on current issues relating to children’s rights through newsletters, blogs, and participation in public discussions.

Child Rights Award

The award recognizes individuals or groups who demonstrate exemplary efforts to respect the rights of children as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Recipients will receive a certificate, be honoured in an appropriate way, and be publicly recognized through the CCRC website and newsletter.
Learn more

National Child Day

Each year Canada acknowledges the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20th – National Child Day. The Coalition works with our member organizations to highlight this significant day for children’s rights.