Canada and the Dream of a Child-Friendly Nation

Approximately 35 years ago, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (United Nations, 1989). This convention was the result of more than a decade of specialized efforts by a large group of child rights activists, lawyers, and child development experts. Their goal was to highlight the necessity of recognizing children’s rights as citizens of every society at both national and international levels. The adoption of this convention by UN member states was a significant human achievement. In the same year, the UN Secretary-General urged governments to sign the convention and commit to implementing its provisions for the benefit of children in their respective societies.

Before the CRC, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was introduced in 1959 in the United Nations with ten principles. (United Nations, 1959) However, this declaration was merely a recommendation, and countries were not legally bound to implement it. In contrast, the CRC introduced a binding legal framework, compelling governments to implement its provisions and ensuring international enforcement. However, after thirty years, it remains a question of how effectively the convention has been enforced and to what extent member states and signatories have fulfilled their commitments. Some countries never signed the convention, while others accepted it with conditions. Even among those that fully ratified the CRC, it is worth investigating how much effort they have truly put into improving children’s rights in their societies.

One of the most important aspects of the CRC is its comprehensive approach to children’s needs, ensuring that no need is overlooked. It emphasizes that all children’s needs must be addressed simultaneously, creating conditions for them to enjoy a dignified life. These needs are not limited to basics such as food, water, and shelter; the quality of these necessities is equally important. The CRC highlights the significance of providing high-quality healthcare, education, and nutrition programs, ensuring that children have access to the best possible resources for a dignified life. Therefore, governments cannot merely claim to have programs for children’s healthcare, nutrition, education, or legal and social rights. What matters is the quality of these programs and their alignment with international standards.

Although the concept of quality is always relative—meaning that what is considered good depends on the society and its conditions—there is still a need for clear standards, indicators, and principles to assess children’s rights. The evaluation of a country’s child rights situation should be based on statistical data aligned with these indicators and international standards. Simply labeling a country’s child rights status as good or bad without a scientific and detailed approach is not a reliable assessment. Even when comparing children’s well-being across nations, it is evident that in many countries, including wealthy ones, there is still a significant gap between children’s living conditions and international standards.

This is why one of UNICEF’s strategies is to have government and non-government experts assess the state of children in each country every decade, measuring their well-being against global standards. Examining the situation of children in a country like Canada—or any other nation—is crucial. Such an analysis helps evaluate children’s conditions more accurately and compare them with international benchmarks.

However, just as important as assessing the current state of children’s rights is defining an ideal vision for their future. Governments must outline their long-term goals for improving children’s lives and develop strategies that engage various governmental, non-governmental, and civil society organizations in achieving these objectives. If a government can effectively integrate child rights protection into its national policies, it can serve as a model for other countries.

In the modern era, the importance of children’s holistic development has gained significant recognition. Scientific research, particularly in the fields of child development and neuroscience, has shown that from birth, children require structured care, support, and planning to thrive. Therefore, implementing the CRC’s principles at the national level requires comprehensive planning. (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS], 2024)

Now, 35 years after the adoption of the CRC, and with the vast scientific advancements underscoring the importance of child development, governments must voluntarily prioritize children’s rights in their national programs. The step-by-step implementation of the CRC in every society should be treated as a fundamental investment in the future. Encouraging governments to view child rights as a long-term national investment is a crucial discussion that should be widely promoted as a key policy proposal. By doing so, a country can position itself as a child-friendly nation, playing a vital role in the global community.

Becoming a “child-friendly country” undoubtedly requires significant economic, social, cultural, and even political infrastructure. Such a nation must ensure fair and equitable living conditions for all children within its borders, without discrimination.

Among the member states of the United Nations, it seems that no country has yet prioritized children’s lives and their best interests in planning programs. However, this does not mean that no country has the potential to do so. Rather, it appears that a political and social consensus is needed at the level of policymakers and citizens.

Is it an unrealistic or overly ambitious expectation for a country to place children’s welfare, rights, and a dignified life at the forefront of its agenda? Can a government or a country be encouraged to take on this responsibility in the global community? Is this expectation too far-fetched for a society?

Global experiences have shown that when children in a country live well, the future of that society is also promising. Research has demonstrated that investing in children’s healthcare, education, and welfare is, in every respect, an economic investment for that nation. (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR], 2024), (Fernandes, L., 2024)

Around the world, some countries have taken various approaches to supporting the holistic development of children and have achieved significant results. The statistics from some nations, as recorded in UNICEF’s annual reports on the state of children, are very encouraging and can be recognized as achievements in children’s rights. Some of these global accomplishments include vaccination rates above 90%, universal health insurance for children from birth, minimizing child mortality under the age of five, and significantly reducing malnutrition rates. (United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], 2024)​

This suggests that some countries have the potential to become child-friendly nations by prioritizing children’s needs in their planning. These countries must be identified, and their officials should be encouraged to take on this responsibility.

Undoubtedly, one country that has the potential to emerge as a child-friendly nation on the global stage is Canada.

Canada was one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and has consistently been an advocate for the convention. Additionally, Canada has signed two optional protocols: The Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (United Nations, 2000) and The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children (United Nations, 2000).

The laws, initiatives, and programs supporting children in Canada are valuable and significant. The overall well-being of children in Canadian society is noteworthy. Most importantly, the general public in Canada believes that children’s rights are upheld and that their well-being is ensured. When the citizens of a country believe that their children’s rights are protected and that national institutions are focused on their development, this belief becomes a strong foundation for further progress.

Can Canada take on new responsibilities as a child-friendly country? Can it become a leading nation in championing children’s rights and creating new opportunities for children and families?

To establish Canada as a child-friendly country, a well-planned strategy is needed. A coordinated effort between various sectors can lead to the development of a draft proposal to present to decision-making bodies.

Organizations such as the Ministry of Children, in collaboration with institutions working in healthcare, nutrition, education, welfare, and justice, along with international organizations like UNICEF and a large network of civil and non-governmental organizations, can review and assess this responsibility.

The draft proposal can include the following elements:

• Current Situation Analysis: Conducting a comprehensive study on the status of children in all aspects of life in Canada.
• Vision for the Future: Creating a roadmap for an ideal future for children in Canada. This vision can be shaped through consultations with various groups and partners using brainstorming sessions, future studies, and strategic foresight programs.
• Children’s Information Center: Establishing a center dedicated to documenting and categorizing all activities related to children, including policies, projects, ideas, challenges, and organizations working at different levels in Canada. This center can serve as a vast database of all projects benefiting children in Canada, making this information accessible to interested groups worldwide.
• National Council for Children’s Rights: Forming a council with decision-making authorities to act as a strategic and policy-making body for essential programs supporting children.
• 10% Improvement Commitment: As a child-friendly country, Canada can commit to improving children’s conditions by at least 10% in each period. For instance, if 17% of children are currently experiencing malnutrition according to official statistics, efforts can be made to reduce this figure by 10% in each designated timeframe. This approach can be applied to all aspects of children’s well-being.

The designation of a child-friendly country can offer several advantages:

• Enhanced Family Security: Parents in Canada would feel a greater sense of security knowing that extensive governmental support programs are in place for their children. This would improve the overall well-being of citizens, as child security contributes to parents’ peace of mind.
• Economic Growth: Investing in children leads to economic prosperity. Families are willing to spend on their children’s development and well-being, which in turn creates new job opportunities in education, healthcare, services, production, and industry.
• Academic and Research Advancements: Canadian universities and research centers can specialize in various fields related to children, such as pediatrics, psychology, children’s literature, and early childhood development (ECD). This specialization can attract students and researchers from around the world.
• Becoming a Global Hub for Children’s Initiatives: Canada can become a center for international child-focused activities, from films and books to the production of specialized children’s equipment. This would make Canada a focal point for conferences and global gatherings related to children’s issues.
• Boosting Family Tourism: The initiative could also enhance family tourism by attracting families from different countries to visit Canada.

In conclusion, the designation of a child-friendly country is not only an opportunity to enhance the overall well-being of society and support children’s mental and emotional health but also a means to drive economic and social progress at national and international levels. Canada possesses all the necessary qualities to assume a new global role as a child-friendly nation.

A key aspect of the CRC is its holistic approach, emphasizing not just basic needs like food and shelter but also the quality of healthcare, education, and social services. Governments must not only provide these services but ensure they meet international standards. Reliable assessment tools, such as UNICEF’s decade-based evaluations, help measure children’s well-being, yet many nations still fall short of their commitments.

The text argues that Canada has the potential to become a global leader as a “Child-Friendly Country.” As an early signatory of the CRC and a strong advocate for children’s rights, Canada already has valuable policies in place. To further this role, a comprehensive strategy is needed, including:

• Establishing a National Council for Children’s Rights
• Creating a Children’s Information Center
• Committing to incremental improvements (e.g., reducing child malnutrition by 10% per cycle)
• Aligning child-focused policies with economic and social growth

By prioritizing children’s well-being, Canada can enhance family security, economic development, and global leadership in child welfare. The initiative could position Canada as a center for research, education, and international collaborations, fostering both social progress and economic opportunities.

Ultimately, investing in children is an investment in a nation’s future. Canada has the resources, public support, and policy framework to lead by example, setting a new global standard for child-focused governance.