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Summary: Canada’s approach developing the
NPA includes broad-based
consultations with civil society and
Canadian governments at various
levels. Consultations help identify
priorities, emerging issues,
strategies and actions. A Discussion
Guide for consultations includes
priorities; a chronology; and table
demonstrating domestic and
international commitments.
DIALOGUE ON CANADA’S NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR
CHILDREN
(Vancouver, May 8, 2003) – Consultative activities to develop
Canada’s national plan of action (NPA) for children are continuing
this week with a regional dialogue in Vancouver that will bring
together representatives from the NGO child and youth serving
community as well as young people (under the age of 18).
The meeting in Vancouver is the second of four regional dialogues
that aim to generate discussion and recommendations for the
NPA based on existing commitments, including the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child and National Children’s
Agenda. The first regional dialogue took place in Ottawa on March
30-31, and future meetings will take place in Winnipeg and
Halifax in May and June.
Canada’s approach to the development of the NPA includes
broad-based consultations with both civil society and Canadian
governments at various levels. The consultations are helping to
identify key priorities, emerging issues, strategies and actions.
Canada will submit its NPA to the United Nations by the end of
2003.
Consultations with numerous organizations (national and
provincial), community-based groups, schools and university and
individuals including children and youth reflect the diverse
realities of Canadian children and youth. Participants in
consultations to date have identified issues that are of particular
concern including among others: child poverty; early childhood
care and development; aboriginal children; health care; literacy;
child welfare; children and disabilities; and the importance of
supporting parents, families and communities.
The Prime Minister of Canada asked the Honourable Anne
McLellan, Minister of Health and the Honourable Jane Stewart,
Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, to accept
joint responsibility for developing Canada’s National Plan of
Action (NPA). The Prime Minister also asked Senator Landon
Pearson to act as his personal representative to the Special
Session on Children follow-up process.
Leaders of the world’s governments committed themselves to
creating a better world for children as the United Nations General
Assembly Special Session on Children, which took place from May
8-10, 2002. These commitments are described in full in the
outcome of the special session entitled “A World Fit for Children”.
To help them fulfill their promises, the governments of the world
agreed to prepare “national action plans with a set of time-bound
and measurable goals and targets … taking into account the best
interests of the child, … and in conformity with all human rights
and fundamental freedoms”.
For more information:
Read the discussion guide that was published for the consultative
process (in pdf format in English and French) at
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=3459
Or contact:
The Office of Senator Landon Pearson
Andrea Khan, Policy Analyst and Researcher
210 East Block, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 Canada
Phone: +1 613 995-9645; Fax: +1 613 947-7136; Email:
[email protected]
Website: www.sen.parl.gc.ca/lpearson pdf: www.crin.org/docs/resources/publications/Dialogue-on-Canada-NPA-en.pdf