About the conference
The University of Ottawa is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child with a number of events over a three-day period.
Please note that admission to each event requires registration:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A half-day symposium organized by the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory on the Rights of the Child will examine the principle of respect for the views of the child. In particular, the symposium will consider children’s participation in the context of research in education and health. During the round-table discussion, participants will explore ways to integrate the views of children into research practice.
Thursday November 19, 2009
The first day of the international conference on child rights will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to explore the four guiding principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child from an international perspective: non-discrimination, best interests of the child, maximum survival and development, and respect for the views of the child. The Conference will also identify existing gaps and discuss strategies to better implement the Convention.
Friday, November 20, 2009
On the final day of the conference, National Child Day, focus will be turned on the implementation of the principles at the national level, including an assessment of Canada's progress on that front. The conference will conclude with a ceremony in which the Mayor of Ottawa will sign a protocol that will make the nation’s capital a UNICEF Child Friendly City.
Every Child Is Sacred Youth Forum
The Every Child Is Sacred’s Youth Forum on Ottawa as a Child Friendly City (UNICEF) will take place simultaneously and bring together seventy young people to explore the child's right to be heard. Their deliberations will be highlighted in the final conference presentation, titled The Right to Be Heard. Participation in the forum is by invitation only.