Peel – On Sunday, November 20th, Peel Children and Youth Initiative (PCYI) will mark National Child Day in Peel. To mark this important day deliveries to parents and newborns highlighting the importance of children’s rights were made at three Peel regional hospitals today – Brampton Civic Hospital, Trillium Health Centre and Credit Valley Hospital.

This year, members of PCYI’s Peel Children’s Charter Committee and 12-year old Charter Ambassador, Naomi Ishmael are making a special presentation to new parents and their babies showcasing each of the rights and how they contribute to a child’s well-being and the opportunity to thrive in life.

“On this year’s National Child Day in Peel, we are asking the community – politicians, parents, companies, community organizations, schools and educators – to recognize the importance of children’s rights, and to be mindful of their role in encouraging these rights,” says Naomi.

“National Child Day in Peel is a time for celebrating children’s rights, and raising awareness about the Peel Children’s Charter of Rights, but it’s also a reminder that we must encourage children to embrace their rights throughout the year,” says Shelagh Karstoff, Chair, Peel Children’s Charter Committee.

“Children are our future; how we nurture and support them today will define what that future looks like,” states Matthew Anderson, President & CEO, William Osler Health System. “Osler supports National Child Day everyday by providing pre and post natal care education and supporting the new parents of the over 7400 babies we deliver at Osler every year.”

About the Peel Children’s Charter of Rights
Using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and A Canada Fit for Children as road maps, Success By 6 Peel embarked on a journey in 2006: to give all children in Peel a voice in matters that affect them. The process of developing this credo meant engaging children and adults in creating a Charter that truly reflects the diverse population of children in Peel Region and shines a light on their needs. The resulting Peel Children’s Charter of Rights is recognized as a model for community engagement and children’s advocacy.

About Peel Children and Youth Initiative
PCYI is a back-bone organization that works collaboratively with more than 100 partners and members who work with children, youth and families living in Peel. Our primary goal is to improve the lives of children and youth (0-24) in this region by improving systems, practices and policy changes through authentic community engagement.

About William Osler Health System
William Osler Health System is home to Canada’s premier community hospitals – Brampton Civic, Etobicoke General and Peel Memorial (under redevelopment) – and serves the 1.3 million residents of the communities of Brampton, Etobicoke, Malton, Caledon and surrounding areas. Our vision is to design health systems that serve the global community... driven by diversity. Osler treats more than 620,000 patients and their families every year; 170,000 in the emergency departments alone.