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History
Consisting of a Declaration and Plan of Action, A World Fit for Children outlines and renews global commitments to and future actions for children (0 to 18 years). The Plan of Action addresses four major areas: 1) promoting healthy lives; 2) providing quality education; 3) protecting against abuse, exploitation and violence; and 4) combating HIV/AIDS. It presents how to create a world fit for children through specific goals, strategies and actions; mobilizing resources; and follow-up actions and assessment.
A World Fit for Children contains a global plan of action that describes what the nations of the world must do for and with children. In it, individual nations are called upon to develop their own action plans in order to facilitate the commitments made in A World Fit for Children. Progress in implementing the global plan of action will be carefully monitored and detailed in reports by countries to the United Nations in 2006, 2011, and 2016.
Developing Canada's National Plan of Action for childrenThe Canadian government is moving forward in the development of the NPA on behalf of Canadians. To develop a meaningful NPA it is essential that as many interested Canadians as possible have their voices heard. Already, Senator Pearson, Health Canada and HRDC have begun listening to and working with Canadians. Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the NPA should build on the solid foundation of Canada's current and past commitments to children, both at home and abroad. Canada's NPA will highlight emerging issues and look forward to the future. Canadians of all ages now have the opportunity to work together and to protect and promote children's rights while discussing and building Canada's vision for children for the coming decade. Based both on what Canadians have been saying and also on Canada's domestic and international commitments to children – specifically on the themes of A World Fit for Children, the visions of the National Children's Agenda, and the principles of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child – Canada's NPA is currently focusing on four themes.
Engaging CanadiansThe development of Canada's NPA allows for a wide range of opinions, thoughts and ideas to be shared. Only as a result of the extensive involvement of Canadians can we create a Canada and a world fit for children. Overall, the principles of the best interests of the child, non-discrimination, participation and survival and development provide the framework for Canada's actions concerning children. Consistent with lessons learned during the previous decade, the goals of Canada's consultative process are:
Children's Participation
How Canadians are Being HeardCanadians of all ages were engaged in a variety of ways. Consultation activities were carried out by Honourable Senator Landon Pearson, the co-lead federal departments (Health Canada and HRDC), and representatives of civil society as members of Steering and Consultative committees. Letters to Senator PearsonThe process of developing Canada's NPA started in December 2002,
when Regional DialoguesThe Dialogues
were two day-long, facilitated discussions that gave participants the Partner EventsIn addition to the Dialogues and the hundreds of letters that were received, interested Canadians provided input by hosting partner events. Partner events took advantage of existing conferences, meetings or mailings to seek input on the NPA. Groups were encouraged to use the same questions for discussion as used in the regional Dialogues. A Partner Event Guide was developed to be used in conjunction with the Discussion Guide. In this way, community groups, NGOs, schools, and other interested citizens were encouraged to provide information on, and support for, the NPA. Government of Canada InvolvementFederal departments incorporated discussions of the NPA in relevant consultation activities with stakeholders or within their departments, and have otherwise contributed to the development of Canada's NPA. Senator Pearson also wrote to premiers and territorial leaders to invite them to participate in the development of the NPA. Next StepsThe process of developing Canada's NPA for children has already started. This process has been designed to identify the views and priorities of a wide cross-section of Canadians, including young people. Canadians bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the development of Canada's NPA. Already, we have heard from many organizations and individuals who have written to us to identify their views and share their ideas. By contributing their unique perspectives, Canadians are helping to shape Canada's National Plan of Action for children, ensuring that it represents the views of all Canadians. After all, only together can we create a Canada and a world fit for children. |
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Last Updated: 2002-09-02 |