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.

​Nearly 90% of the global health burden related to climate change is borne by children under five. Young children in the climate-vulnerable Asia-Pacific region face a particularly serious challenge from the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation across all components of nurturing care – health, nutrition, early learning, responsive caregiving, and security and safety. 
In a few weeks, 70,000 delegates including 198 Parties (197 countries and EU) will meet in Dubai for COP28. For the first time, the early childhood development (ECD) agenda will be featured at this important event. Together with partners, and building on our efforts on the ECD-Climate intersection since 2019, ARNEC will co-host and participate in a series of side events at COP28 for the purpose of elevating ECD as a cost-effective investment to achieve climate resilience and sustainable development.
Ahead of COP28, we are sharing with you a package of key ECD-Climate resources that has been jointly developed by ARNEC and its partners. We are grateful to Dr Adrián Cerezo (University of Maine) for his visionary leadership in guiding our work on this important intersection. Special thanks to Save the Children, UNICEF EAPRO, the Bernard van Leer Foundation, Early Opportunities, Early Start of University of Wollongong Australia, Vital Strategies, Early Childhood Regional Networks Fund and our country partners for the support provided during the development of various ECD Climate resources.

In Memoriam
​It is with heavy hearts that we share these obituaries of two OMEP members who have recently passed on

Glynne Mackey ​1952-2023

Doreen Eleanor Launder  1942- 2023​

Politicians commit to working across party divides to fix the broken education system.

View the IHC Pre-election education forum video or review the public statement file below.