Who are we?
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 Convention on the Rights of the Child is the guiding framework for all activities of the coalition.
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 provided 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.
- Canada now has a representative on the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child; this was one of the goals of the coalition.
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.
Three areas of work for 2012
Monitoring: This year the CCRC will participate in the third review of Canada’s record for implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We will present our alternative report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. In Canada we will work for implementation of the recommendations in the report.
Advocacy: Internationally, we are working for the adoption, ratification, and implementation of the new Third Optional Protocol that provides a complaints process under the Convention.
In Canada we address specific national children’s rights issues through policy research and public information.
Education: Public awareness initiatives include information sharing, a website, a newsletter, public presentations, public events, workshops for schools and professional groups, and other awareness-raising activities.
Board of Directors
The coalition operates as a charitable organizaton under federal legislation. The board, elected at each AGM, includes representatives of child rights organizations, individual advocates, and academic specialists on child rights. The current board is:
- Kathy Vandergrift, consultant, child rights advocate - Chair
- Cheryl Milne, David Asper Center for Constitutional Rights – Vice-Chair, Organization
- Sara Austin, World Vision Canada – Vice-Chair, Work plan
- Tara Collins, Landon Pearson Child Rights Resource Center - Treasurer
- Sarah Stevenson, Child Rights Advisor, Plan International Canada – Secretary
- Nadja Pollaert, International Bureau for Children’s Rights
- Emily Chan, Community Development Lawyer, Justice for Children and Youth
- Adrienne Montani, First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Association
- Agnes Samler, Defence for Children International
- Micheal Montgomery, International Institute for Children’s Rights and Development
- Jessica MacFarlane, National Youth In Care Network
- Andrea Lemire, Society for Children and Youth
Membership
Membership is open to organizations and individuals who support the Convention on the Rights of the Child and share the goals of the coalition. Members are invited to participate in all activities of the coalition, in accordance with the bylaws. Membership fees are set annually by the board of directors. CCRC Membership Form.
