Thoughts on the CRC Conference

Hello everyone!

          I am now back in Canada after having experienced one of the most important and wonderful weeks of my life.  Being able to contribute to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in such a direct way to the people that have the power to make change was so empowering.  I felt like my voice was really being heard, and that there is much hope for a better future for all children with so many people fighting for us.  Though, there is still need for more people in this plight for child rights and improvements are underway.

          The conference was very focused on improvements that needed to be made and the child participants were treated as equals as we sat on the panel among all the child rights experts.  I felt encouraged to speak my mind freely, and was given the full attention of the whole room when I did.  After the 2 days the youth had to discuss our recommendations for the 3 themes, dignity, development and dialogue, it was reassuring to know that once we arrived at the UN, the adults had the same ideas.  We were on the same page for the majority of the time, and we were able to stress which recommendation we felt were the most important.  We were also given the chance to speak during the opening and closing ceremonies, not to mention being the last presentation of the whole conference and ending it with a gavel!

          Although, there are still some aspects of the conference that could have been improved upon.  For one, the environment was very serious and formal, which can be quite intimidating at first.  It would have even helped if everyone wore more casual clothing.  All the children needed to adapt to the new environment, but our passion for child rights and the meaning of our presence to represent children around the world gave us courage.  As well, it would have been better if more children were present at the conference.  There was an overwhelming majority of adults in each plenary session and at the conference as a whole.  If there was more child representation, then all the children around the world would have been heard even better. 

          Overall, I must say that the conference was incredible.  The interaction and understanding I saw between the adults and children was so inspiring.  I look forward to seeing the recommendations made at the conferences be turned into actions, and for the communication between adults and children to increase and improve.  Please try to help in any way that you can as well.  Whether it may be through raising awareness in your community, writing to the government of your thoughts on child rights, or becoming a part of a non-governmental organization of Plan.  Everyone needs to understand that children are neither objects nor possessions of their parents; they are human beings who deserve to be treated as so on this earth.  

- Cara