Child Day a chance for adults to listen, learn

Kids’ ideas often get overlooked, advocate says

It has been 28 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), but Saskatchewan child advocate Corey O’Soup says there is still work to be done to make sure the province’s children are having their voices heard.

Monday marks National Child Day. O’Soup said many people unfortunately do not know the day exists and what it signifies. Even he wasn’t aware it existed until he began his position as the provincial children’s advocate.

This continued lack of understanding of the UNCRC rights — which encompass everything from the basic right to food, clothing and shelter, to freedom of expression and beliefs, to the right to be free from abuse — makes it difficult to create meaningful change.

O’Soup said his focus is on children’s right to health care — more specifically, care for children struggling with their mental health.

He said he worked closely with youth in northern communities to come up with solutions as part of a report on Saskatchewan’s northern suicide crisis scheduled for release early next month. He said the creativity and passion behind youth’s ideas is often overlooked.

“Sometimes we just need to close our mouths and listen,” O’Soup said. “I think our politicians, our parents need to slow down and take the opportunity to recognize the day. If they do it, then I think the general public will do it as well.”

The easiest way to make a difference for Saskatchewan’s kids is making the effort to build a relationship with children, creating a strong, safe platform for them to share and discuss their problems and ideas, he says.

He added it’s easier than ever for kids to communicate through social media and apps, so he advises children who feel their voice is not being heard to take advantage of these resources and reach out because someone will be willing to listen.

“There are adults out there who will listen to you,” O’Soup said. “Many of our leaders will sit down and listen to youth, our office is always there, please reach out to us ... any time a kid wants to come talk to us I want to give them the platform of our office. So, if they have something they want to say and they want the whole world to know — we’ll put it out there.”

I think our politicians, our parents need to slow down and take the opportunity to recognize the day.