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.

Three areas of work for 2009 – 2011

Monitoring Initiative: Canada will present its Third Report on implementation of the Convention in 2009.  The Coalition will prepare a civil society report on the state of children’s rights in Canada, foster public discussion in Canada, and participate in the review of Canada’s record before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.  Action on review recommendations will be pursued in Canada.

Advocacy: The Coalition will pursue specific initiatives, such as:

  • follow-up to the UN Secretary General’s Report on Violence Against Children
  • using Senate Committee report to advocate for more effective child rights mechanisms
  • supporting related advocacy campaigns in Canada

Awareness and Education: The Coalition will:

  • Use special events, a website, and newsletters to inform Canadians about national initiatives to promote children’s rights
  • Support member initiatives to promote children’s rights through shared information, joint initiatives, and managing a website.

Board of Directors

The coalition operates as a non-profit corporation 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
  • Zuhy Sayeed, Canadian Association for Community Living – Secretary
  • Katherine Covell, Children’s Rights Center, University College of Cape Breton -Treasurer
  • Sara Austin, World Vision Canada
  • Nadja Pollaert, International Bureau for Children’s Rights
  • Lisa Wolff, UNICEF Canada
  • Sarah Chandler, Human Rights Educator
  • Tara Collins, Landon Pearson Child Rights Resource Center
  • Samira Ahmed, student and youth organizer
  • Sarah Stevenson, Child Rights Advisor, Plan International Canada
  • Emily Chan,  Community Development Lawyer, Justice for Children and Youth
  • Dr. Carole Carpenter, Professor of Humanities and Co-ordinator of the Children’s Studies Program, York University.

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.