By V.K. KenUnit 1 – Children & ICDNovember 22, 2013

The Committee for the Rights of the Child is a hopeful step towards ensuring children are seen as a precious commodity, to be nurtured, protected and encouraged to become the world’s future citizens and leaders. Although I personally enjoyed a carefree, loving childhood with nine other siblings, despite financial hardships, I soon realized that a great many children did not share my happy childhood memories. All too often children suffer neglect, indifference to their needs and even abuse.

Writing life histories for children being adopted for the Child & Family Services here in Calgary has shown me all too well the social fall-out from neglect due to unhealthy lifestyles and /or addictions suffered by the parents of the child. And in many of the world’s locations, the advent of HIV/AIDs and internal conflict in nations has severed ties between children and their parents, sometimes forever.

  Having adopted a young girl from Uganda I have seen first-hand what a secure, warm loving environment can give to a child who otherwise would be condemned to a life of poverty and distress. A child blooms like a beautiful flower when showered with affection, interest, physical comforts and access to education as well as social opportunities. Long live the happy child!

 - Valerie Kae Ken

Every child has the inherent right to life....

- Article 6

.....as well as to a name, nationality & identity....

- Article 7,8

Children have the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including prenatal and postnatal care....

- Article 24

No child shall be separated from their parents, except where deemed

necessary....

- Article 9

Children have a right to family reunification and/or contact with both parents....

- Article 10

Children shall be protected from all forms of abuse - physical, sexual or mental, neglect, maltreatment, exploitation.....

- Article 33,34,35,36,37

Any adoption, if necessary, is to be carried out by competent authorities, with no improper financial gain and in the best interests of the child....

- Article 21

...and with the informed consent of persons concerned, if possible....

- Article 21 (a)

On the Wings of a Prayer

I set you free on the wings of a prayer

To fly through life in His tender care.

You’re free from the nest and the ties that are bound,

Free from the pressures I carry around.

If I kept you I’d only be cutting your wings,

Not offering the chance a true family brings.

The decision I’ve made had my heart torn in two,

But I know what I’m doing is the best thing for you.

The sky is so vast, the mountains so high,

Take wing and remember: I love you.

Goodbye.

- Lisa Bote-Phillips, a birth mother

Children shall have the right to play & be protected from economic exploitation....

- Article 31,32

Children with disabilities have the right to a full and decent life....

- Article 23

Children shall have adequate nutrition, clothing & housing....

- Article 19

Children have the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion & peaceful assembly....

- Article 14,15

Education is the fundamental right of every child....

- Article 28

..with access to information and material that promotes social, spiritual and moral well-being....

- Article 17

Children have the right to enjoy education that allows for cultural diversity and respect....

- Article 29

And children have a right to access higher education in order to become our future citizens....

- Article 28

To continue to ensure the rights of the child each of the 18 members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child is elected for a term of 4 years....

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx

A holistic, Healthy Childhood"There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace." - Kofi Annan

References:

Slide 1 - Rights of a child – idccoalition.org http://www.kidsmeetingkids.org/un

Slide 3 – (a) Right to life Anglican-mainstream.net http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/category/pro-lifeabortion

(b) Mother and child – Children’s rights in Islam. Rehmat’s World. http://rehmat1.com/2009/06/29/childrens-rights-in-islam 

Slide 4 - Child’s name http://www.nightlight.org/category/international-adoption

Slice 45– (a) Prenatal care – Photo 9 Bet. http://www.bet.com/news/health/photos/2013/04/reproductive-rights-on-trial.html#!040513-national-womens-reproductive-rights-abortion-supreme-court-2007

(b) Postnatal care Kampala Notebook: what African union promises could do for mothers and children. http://savethechildren.typepad.com/blog/2010/07

Slide 6 - Child’s hand around finger– Thinkstock. Page bbc article 11 Sept. 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-24037980

Slide 7 – family reunification. USCRI says moratorium in Manchester makes no sense – refugees are ‘family reunion’ cases. http://forefugees.com/category/volags-voluntary-agencies/uscri-volags-voluntary-agencies/international-institute-of-ne

Slide 8 – (a)Parents protecting child illustration - http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics/13_things_parents_can_do_to_protect_their_children.html

(b) Child abuse – picture by Roger Bamber: 26 Aug 2004. http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Third-of-Irish-parents-want-right-to-smack-their-children-97380799.html

(c) Not for sale. Washington Times article. http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/rights-so-divine/2012/apr/8/survivor-explains-vulnerability-child-sex-traffick

(d) It shouldn’t hurt to be a child . Thoughtful India article. http://thoughtfulindia.com/2012/05/effect-of-satyamev-jayate-parliament-passes-bill-to-protect-children-from-sexual-abuse

Slide 9 – adoption. Adoption dashboard. http://adoptiondashboard.com

Slide 10 – (a) Bote-Phillips, L. (n.d.) On the wings of a prayer. http://www.gapacademy.ca/files/The_Wings_of_A_Prayer.pdf

(b) Dove photo-Whitewings of gulfwinds. http://www.whitewingsofgulfwinds.com/Memorials_and_Funerals.html

Slide 11 - (a) Children at play illustration. Hafford Central School http://www.hafford.lskysd.ca/radke

(b) Children working. 808-851-7010 avt@pacificgateway.org http://www.808halt.com

Slide 12 – (a) Children with disabilities – UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/sowc2013/files/SWCR2013_ENG_Lo_res_24_Apr_2013.pdf 

(b) Children with down’s syndrome. The Children’s Society. http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-views/our-blog/government-must-protect-vulnerable-children

Slide 13 (a) Pic house http://www.newhavenbulletin.com/?cat=36

(b) Adequate nutrition. The truth. Healthy habits for all kids. Part 1. http://truthonhealth.org/blog/2012/03/07/guest-blog-connie-evers-healthy-habits-for-all-kids-part-i

Slide 14 –(a) Girl in hijab. Alamy. Jan 3 2013. http://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/uk-muslim-couple-sue-school-that-banned-their-daughters-hijab

(b) Harper and menorah.. article feb 16, 2013 Grant Black/postmedia news files http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/02/16/prime-minister-stephen-harper-to-name-canadas-first-religious-freedom-ambassador

(c) Girls praying Sunday, march 4, 2012 http://hellemanworld.blogspot.ca/2012/03/stop-religious-persecution-especially.html

Girl with sign http://www.civilrightsdefenders.org/tag/freedom-of-assembly/

Slide 15 - Education – Dnainda.com http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-education-is-now-a-fundamental-right-of-every-child-1365963 

Slide 16 – (a) Access to internet http://software.banpro.net 

(b) Girl with books. http://www.teachingwithlove.com/resources.html 

Slide 17 – Cultural diversity. http://www.highcountryucc.org/two-earth-day-worship-opportunities-with-hcucc-on-sunday-april-21-2013 

Slide 18 – Higher education. What is special education? http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/adhd.htm

• Slide 19 –Committee on the Rights of the child. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/CRCIndex.aspx

UN logo – http://www.clker.com/clipart-blue-un-logo-vectorised.html 

Child in air – ANLC. Adoption network law center. http://adoptionnetworklawcenter.org/anlc.html

Slide 20 – Annan, K. (2000). Children’s rights quotes. Do one thing Quotes for a better world. http://www.doonething.org/quotes/children-quotes.htm

Photo – Kofi Annan infro-afrique.com http://wadr.org/en/site/news_en/4716/Kofi-Annan-Africa-plundered-by-secret-mining-deals.htm