Children’s Rights / Child and Youth Participation in Decision-Making Processes
The Mary Ward Centre is committed to realizing the fundamental dignity and rights of all children, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The CRC enshrines the basic human rights of every child (persons under the age of 18 years), and recognizes children as distinct cultural, social, economic, political, and civil actors. The CRC was ratified by the Canadian government in 1991, and by the Roman Catholic Church, through the Holy See, as a Permanent Observer Member to the UN, in 1990. A main focus of our work to accompany children and create spaces for them to have their voices heard in decision-making spaces, as per CRC Article 12.
As a faith-based organization, we advocate alongside children for their rights in public spaces, at local and global levels, including at the United Nations, where the Loretto Sisters operate the IBVM-Loreto Generalate NGO. Through this NGO, we help to ensure that children, with a priority on girls, are afforded opportunities to reflect on important policy issues, share their views, advocate for their rights, and have their voices heard by those in decision-making positions at the UN, including Member States.
The Mary Ward Centre is also exploring opportunities to strengthen the capacity of children to exercise their agency and have their voices heard in ecclesial spaces.
Program Lead: Sr. Sarah Rudolph, ibvm
Email: sarah.rudolph@marywardcentre.ca
Mary Ward Centre Resources on Children’s Rights
A Prayer Service for National Child Day 2021
The Mary Ward Centre is committed to realizing the fundamental dignity and rights of all children, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The CRC enshrines the basic human rights of every child (persons under the age of 18 years), and recognizes children as distinct cultural, social, economic, political, and civil actors. The CRC was ratified by the Canadian government in 1991, and by the Roman Catholic Church, through the Holy See, as a Permanent Observer Member to the UN, in 1990. A main focus of our work to accompany children and create spaces for them to have their voices heard in decision-making spaces, as per CRC Article 12.
As a faith-based organization, we advocate alongside children for their rights in public spaces, at local and global levels, including at the United Nations, where the Loretto Sisters operate the IBVM-Loreto Generalate NGO. Through this NGO, we help to ensure that children, with a priority on girls, are afforded opportunities to reflect on important policy issues, share their views, advocate for their rights, and have their voices heard by those in decision-making positions at the UN, including Member States.
The Mary Ward Centre is also exploring opportunities to strengthen the capacity of children to exercise their agency and have their voices heard in ecclesial spaces.
Program Lead: Sr. Sarah Rudolph, ibvm
Email: sarah.rudolph@marywardcentre.ca
Mary Ward Centre Resources on Children’s Rights
A Prayer Service for National Child Day 2021
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National Child Day
National Child Day is celebrated in Canada every year on November 20 to mark the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and its preceding declaration, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. Check out our social media resources to help you celebrate this important day! |
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Through its affiliation with the IBVM-Loreto NGO, the Mary Ward Centre works with NGO coalitions such as the Working Group on Girls (WGG) to help ensure girls are afforded opportunities to reflect on important policy issues, share their views, advocate for their rights, and have their voices heard by those in decision-making positions at the UN, including Member States. We work with the WGG on campaigns for International Day of the Girl (October 11), International Women's Day (March 8) and the UN Commission on the Status of Women to foster the participation of girls at the UN.
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National Day of the Child
In collaboration with the IBVM-Loreto UN NGO, the Mary Ward Centre developed a digital advocacy campaign to help bring an end to child labour. Resources include an infographic on children's rights and business principles and an Examen prayer to help bring personal awareness to consumption patterns and the possibility of consuming products produced by child labour.
