The United Nations (UN) is working towards a Decade for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to prioritize the well-being and development of children from birth. The goal is to create a global movement that will increase efforts to protect the human rights of children through education and care.

OMEP World has proclaimed committed support to promoting a United Nations Decade for Early Childhood Care and Education, aimed at galvanizing international commitment and mobilizing resources to ensure every child has access to high-quality early education and care.

You can support this initiative locally. Watch this space for advocacy events and actions that every interested person can take to enhance understanding about the critical period of the 'first 1000 days' and the role that early childhood education plays in placing children's rights at the forefront of their experience. 

Please see the CRAANZ Call for action on the repeal of s7AA of the Oranga Tamariki act

CRAANZ CALL FOR ACTION on repeal of s7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act
https://mailchi.mp/bf46ff8b8ced/call-to-action-call-to-action-section-7aa-and-childrens-rights?e=c87746c7b9

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We have today finalised our results on the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme children’s consultation.
 
More than 3,500 children participated and overwhelmingly support the programme.  Of the children that participated, 95% (3,300) of the approximately 3,500 children aged between 5-17-years surveyed are in support of "keeping" or "expanding" the programme, while just 3% of children surveyed (94 children) are in favour of removing the programme and 2% (80 children) "don’t know".  Additionally, children shared what the programme means to them, and provided advice on how the programme could be improved. 
 
We have written to Ministers Seymour and Stanford (cc’d Prime Minister and Minister Willis) to inform them of the results and children’s views on the programme.  We have also put out a short report to share the results of the consultation.  Please see attached.

It would be fantastic to hear of any additional ideas to share and promote the findings or keep raising awareness on the issue.
 
Ngā mihi nui,
Jacqui
 

The Children's Rights Alliance have issued an email expressing concern about the state of Children's rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and are seeking your input into the current situation. 

See below for an introduction to the email, and a link to their website to see more: 
CRAANZ is extremely concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation for children’s rights in Aotearoa right now. It has been bewildering and distressing to see so many of the gains for our tamariki now be at risk or have already been reversed. Our Alliance would like to see the Government prioritise the best interests of children and future generations in decision-making and involve children, whānau, and communities in the decision-making process. In this article we have listed many of the rights issues that currently need attention. Please be in touch if CRAANZ can support your advocacy or give advice on specific children’s rights obligations that the Government has a duty to honour.

A year-long project seeking the perspectives of children and their relationships with changing waterscapes over time is proposed for the Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon and catchment of Timaru.
Professor Jayne White and Dr Ngaroma Williams, both from the University of Canterbury’s faculty of education, will give a free public talk in Timaru on Monday on the background of the project.
The pair hoped to start the study in the middle of this year, during Matariki, White said.

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Head to our 'Newsletter' section to read our most recent Newsletter!

The 2023 World Children's Day theme is “For every child, every right.” Every child needs protection from harm, unconditional support, and to have their basic needs met to grow into an emotionally healthy adult.
 
 
Universal Children's Day, also known as World Children's Day, takes place on November 20th. This was the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. On the same day in 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
 
https://www.savethechildren.org.nz/educationhub/world-childrens-day/   
This  Save the Children link is for Aotearoa NZ -made for/by  Aotearoa NZ 
  
https://www.unicef.org/world-childrens-day
 
https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-childrens-day/events
  

​Why a United Nations Decade for Early Childhood Care and Education – ECCE?
Humanity owes an enormous debt to early childhood. We find ourselves at a deep cruel and painful historical juncture for children that requires the construction of a determined action to reverse it and ensure the well-being and full development of boys and girls from birth. The human rights of children must be placed at the center of the political agendas of all countries to assume, face and overcome the risks, suffering and injustices that the youngest are living at the founding stage of their lives.
General Objective:
Place early childhood at the center of the global agenda, promoting the creation of a broad world movement with the participation of the United Nations System, States and governments, civil society, the business sector, academia and science to significantly and urgently increase efforts for the holistic protection of the human rights of early childhood, focusing in their care and education.