Children's rights - it's a promise

Celebrating Children's Week 2022

This week Queensland celebrates Children’s Week to remember, acknowledge and bring attention to the rights every child is entitled to, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Children’s Week is celebrated annually in October with a diverse range of events and activities organised at national, state and local levels to focus the attention of the wider community on children, their rights and achievements. At the heart of Children’s Week we celebrate the right of children to enjoy childhood.

The theme for Children’s Week 2022 celebrates Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which recognises:

"All children have the right to a standard of living that supports their wellbeing and healthy development"

So what does this look like for the children and families who visit public libraries in Queensland?

Safe and welcoming spaces

We work hard to create safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces to encourage children and families from all backgrounds to meet, participate safely in activities they enjoy, and feel comfortable talking about things that are important to them.

Promoting agency

For children under 5, we promote agency by providing them opportunities to make decisions such as: selecting their own books to read from our browsing collection; suggesting a favourite song to sing in one of our Rhyme Time or Story Time sessions; or inviting them to say hello or sing a song in their first language.

Cooperation and collaboration

For older children attending holiday programs and events, we create opportunities that foster cooperation and collaboration in a safe environment where children can meet others and share ideas without judgement.

Active voices

We foster opportunities for children to have an active voice in their choices; provide the space and time to learn and grow through conversation and experimentation; encourage safe connections with each other; and actively listen and respect children’s choices.

What are children’s rights?

Put simply, these are rights to all the things that allow children to lead a safe, happy, healthy and full life. It’s respecting other people’s beliefs; being protected and treated fairly; it’s being free to play and to go to school.

This short clipopen_in_new from UNICEF Australia explains the meaning of ‘rights’ in a fun and engaging way as brother and sister duo Jack and Ruby explore the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

Article 27 and this year’s theme is a wonderful reminder of the role we play as adults in a child’s life, to:

• Provide them safe spaces that nurture a sense of belonging
• Encourage time outside in nature to build motor, social, emotional and cognitive skills
• Understand the human impact on the land, water and air and how they can contribute to taking care of our environment.

We all have a role to play to help uphold this important right and all rights of children to ensure they have the best foundation to build on for life.

For additional Children's Week information and resources visit:

Children’s Week Council of Australia
Children’s Rights Queensland
Convention on the Rights of the Child