Children’s Day: treasuring all of our children

Children’s Day: treasuring all of our children

On national Children’s Day (Sunday, March 1), UNICEF New Zealand calls on the Government, local councils, employers, non-government organisations, communities and families/whānau to increase their commitment to ensuring that all of our children do well. The theme of Children’s Day is “Treasure our Children” – a reminder of how important and precious each child is.

Vivien Maidaborn, Executive Director at UNICEF New Zealand said, “Children’s Day is an opportunity for all New Zealanders to spend quality time with the children in their lives.

“It is also an opportunity for our nation to reflect on how well we are doing to ensure every child has an adequate standard of living, full health, suitable housing, access to education that ensures their optimal development, and a loving home.

“When we acknowledge the 260,000 children living in hardship, the 40,000 children admitted to hospital every year with poverty-related illness, the difficulties some children face in accessing education, our nation’s ongoing struggle with domestic violence and the disparities between different groups of children – particularly Māori, Pasifika and those in sole parent homes - it is clear we have much more still to do.”

UNICEF’s Report Card about the Global Financial Crisis’ impact on children, released last year, raised concerns that, “Twenty-five years after the Convention on the Rights of the Child became international law, many of its commitments remain unrealised, and the developed countries most capable of delivering on them are losing ground.

Ms Maidaborn added, “The NZ Government is currently preparing to submit its 5th report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, due at the UN on May 5.

“The draft report illustrates that while there is a lot of activity happening within Government, it is not cohesive and it is poorly evaluated.

“UNICEF is encouraging the Government to utilise the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a framework to guide policy and practice for public servants. When we have robust processes in Government, transparency about what is invested in children, and rigorous assessment of impacts, we will start to see vast improvements to the wellbeing of children and families,” Ms Maidaborn said.

UNICEF is also working to enable robust processes at the local level, through the Child Friendly Cities Initiative. The initiative provides a framework to guide councils and communities in their work for children; underpinned by the participation of children and young people. Wellington City Council has just announced its participation in this initiative, while numerous other councils and local boards are also preparing to take part.

Ms Maidaborn added, “However, it’s not just central and local government whose commitment is important to enable families/whānau to meet the needs of their children. Employers, schools, health providers, NGOs, faith groups and communities also have a part to play.

“In every case, there is a need for us all to remain focused on the best interests of the child and recognise that when our children do well, we will have a safer, more productive and vibrant society. In treasuring our children we support the foundation of a healthy society where all citizens can thrive,” concluded Ms Maidaborn.

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