Children's Rights

Like all humans, children have rights. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This Convention outlines the rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; the right to develop to the fullest; the right to protection from harm, neglect and exploitation; and the right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.

“Rights” are things every child should have or be able to do. All children have the same rights. Almost every country has agreed to these rights. All the rights are connected to each other, and all are equally important. Sometimes, we have to think about rights in terms of what is the best for children in a situation, and what is critical to life and protection from harm.

National Child Day is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and in communities, as active citizens who can meaningfully contribute to decision-making. Families Canada participates in many ways through our members across the country.

National Child Day is celebrated on November 20th each year across Canada since 1993 to commemorate the United Nations’ adoption of two documents centered on children’s rights: the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (November 20, 1959), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (November 20, 1989).

By ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. This includes the opportunity for children to have a voice, be protected from harm, and be provided with their basic needs and every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Our Partners

• UNICEF Canada
• The Landon Pearson Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children’s Rights