Making Children Matter
Making Children
Matter: Building Better Communities for Children brought
together more than 300 people at all levels from the service,
public and private sectors to examine and discuss the issues related
to building better communities for children.
Beginning with an inspiring keynote address
from Stephen Lewis and ending with moving words from Sandra Griffin,
the conference offered a wealth of information and on ideas for
improving community capacity, recognizing and responding to issues
and much more. Presentations by Doug Willms and Sharon Rich, in
partnership with a series of workshops, had the air crackling
with a revitalized energy formed of new ideas, partnerships and
possibilities.
From the attendees came an almost-unanimous
desire to build upon the momentum begun at the conference. Two
key steps to further that goal was signing on to a commitment
to create a Canada Fit for Children and the creation of an on-line
community.
After Sandra Griffin’s presentation,
conference attendees eagerly signed on to a hold the government
accountable for the numerous international and national agreements
they have signed regarding the needs of children, and to affirm
their support and willingness to participate in the process.
Based on Sharon Rich’s speech, an on-line
community will be the ideal tool to unite community leaders who
share a vision and values, but not a postal code. Through such
a community, conference participants will be able to stay in touch,
to share and develop ideas and best practices, and to continue
to work towards a Canadian vision for children.
Making Children Matter: Building
Better Communities for Children was a partnership between
Investing in Children and Voices for Children. Voices for Children
has taken the lead role in producing transcripts of the conference
proceedings, which will soon be available on-line. For these transcripts
and the latest updates on the development of the on-line community,
visit either the Investing
in Children website or the Voices
for Children website.
