THE CRC IS....

EMPOWERMENT.

In my mind, The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is synonymous with empowerment. This one convention contains the framework for a society in which children are free to be children. What I mean by that is no child should be overwhelmed by the responsibility of working to provide for their family instead of attending school. No child should feel the cruel hand of exploitation or abuse. No child should be the property of their employer, government or family. While the state of children’s rights around the world is falling short of what is needed, the 194 states that have signed this convention can be pushed to act in the best interest of children. How? Well, this is where the empowerment of children comes in. Children must speak out against the issues that affect them as a group: abject poverty, lack of education and unsafe working conditions, to name a few. The fact that, as a Canadian, I have most of my rights respected should not and will not make me complacent or oblivious to the struggle of others. My good fortune and the resources it provides me with are tools which I can use to fight for the rights of other children who are denied their rights. Children are undervalued and largely ignored, but we have the innovation and fresh ideas that can propel our communities forward.  

The 20^th anniversary of the CRC is something to celebrate, but more importantly, it is something to reflect upon. Ones age does not detract from their humanness, yet youth are rarely viewed as being equal to adults. Those who prey on the young are not the only people who we should be concerned about. We must ensure that all children know their rights, because an uneducated child is a powerless child. Knowing our rights allows us to recognize when these rights are being violated. Armed with commitment and bravery, we can then fight for the protection of our rights. It is only then that lasting improvements can be made.