For immediate release

Canadian Child Care Federation Celebrates National Child Day – November 20

(OTTAWA – November 18, 2008) On Thursday, November 20, the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) will celebrate National Child Day, along with early learning and child care practitioners across Canada.

“National Child Day is a day to remember that children need love and respect to grow to their full potential. It’s a day to marvel at their uniqueness and all they have to offer, and to think about how adults affect the development of children close to them,” said Don Giesbrecht, CCCF’s president.

“There are many ways to celebrate our children,” Giesbrecht continues. “Reflect on the rights of children, and implement those rights everyday. Raise awareness for children’s issues by talking to local politicians; explore ways to make your neighbourhood a safer place for children; consider ways to make Canada a better place for our children.”

National Child Day was proclaimed by the Government of Canada on March 19, 1993 to commemorate two historic events for children – the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Children in 1959, and the UN adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

The theme for National Child Day 2008, as selected by the government of Canada, is “the right to protection from sexual exploitation.” The selection of this theme reaffirms the government’s commitment to protecting children from sexual exploitation in Canada and abroad.

Article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states: Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:

(a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;
(b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;
(c) The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

Canada’s largest early learning and child care organization, CCCF is a federation of 20 provincial/territorial organizations from across the country, representing 11,000 members – practitioners, academics, parents and policy makers. CCCF is committed to excellence in early learning and child care through best and promising practice, capacity building, and collaborations, networks and partnerships.

For more information, visit www.qualitychildcarecanada.ca

Canadian Child Care Federation: Leaders in Early Learning

Media contact:
Don Giesbrecht, President
204-889-9858
204-223-9369 (cell)
dgiesbrecht@cccf-fcsge.ca

Information:
Kim Tytler, Marketing & Development Manager
613-729-5289, ext. 242
ktytler@cccf-fcsge.ca