This week marks National Children’s Week, an important annual celebration of children’s rights across Australia.
Children’s Week provides a timely reminder that everyone has a role to play in supporting, enabling and respecting children’s human rights.
This year’s theme, “Everyone should know about children’s rights”, is inspired by Article 42 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Article 42 recognises that children have the right for everyone to know about their rights. It requires governments to tell adults and children alike about children’s rights in an appropriate and active way.
Like adults, the Convention recognises that children are holders of economic, civil, political and cultural rights.
However, it also recognises that children have additional rights because of their age and stage of development.
Upholding and promoting children’s rights includes ensuring that every child is treated fairly, is supported to develop and grow up healthy and safe, and that their views and interests are considered in policies and decisions that affect them.
Children’s Week is about respecting the inherent dignity of children and taking time to truly consider the diverse perspectives and experiences of children.
The work of the Voices for Tasmanian Youth consultative council, established to influence important reforms arising from the Commission of Inquiry, highlights what children can achieve when their right to participate is taken seriously.
Dreamed up by Voices for Tasmanian Youth members, and brought to life by Terrapin, the “A Mountain of Voices” interactive art installation invites children to consider and share their thoughts, ideas and views with adults around them.
I have also recently enjoyed working alongside local government, community groups and schools to help primary school-aged children understand the Convention and what it means for children growing up in Tasmania.
Through storytelling, creative activities and discussion, children have reflected on the rights in the Convention and generously shared their ideas on what they mean to them.
I have noted the empathy and care that children express for their peers – a strong and consistent theme is that they want all children to have equitable access to the same opportunities to thrive no matter their background or diversity of experience.
Children’s Week invites us all to reflect on and celebrate the right of every child to enjoy their childhood and to be recognised for their inherent value and unique potential.
Isabelle Crompton, Interim Commissioner for Children and Young People
Media Contact:
Mark Thomas, M&M Communications
0422 006 732