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National Child Day 2006: "I have the right to be heard" Children as active participants in society The Canadian Child Care Federation has chosen "the right to be heard" as its theme for National Child Day 2006. As supporting documentation, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has also selected Article 12 as their "Day of General Discussion" in September (Geneva). CCCF is preparing a research paper under this theme and will be submitting it to the United Nations for consideration. "This theme focuses on the child’s right to express views in various settings, such as the family, school, associations and politics, and to become an active participant in decision-making processes in these settings. It will consider children both as individuals and as a specific group that is important to society. It will also seek to identify the current situation related to this broader aspect of child involvement in society, the main obstacles in ensuring children actively participate, and ways to move forward. The influence of social movements in advancing the right of the child to be heard will be taken into account. The case will be made that honouring a child's right to be heard is an important step in encouraging citizenship and active participation in democratic processes as they get older." (Adapted from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child). More information
Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
pdf: http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/ncdnov20_en.htm