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“Bring Your MP to School Day” sees parliamentarians get schooled by students
Publication Date: 2017/11/13
MPs across Canada celebrate UNICEF Canada’s “Bring Your MP to School Day” by listening to young people’s concerns
TORONTO, November 13, 2017 – In the run up to National Child Day in Canada, the country’s youngest constituents are speaking up and voicing their opinions to Members of Parliament. UNICEF Canada’s “Bring Your MP to School Day” brings parliamentarians back to school to give children and youth the chance to be heard.
Over the next week, MPs will be visiting schools across the country to engage in meaningful discussions with young people, and to hear about the issues that matter most to them.
“Children and youth are often referred to as the leaders of tomorrow, but they’re so much more than that,” said David Morley, President and CEO of UNICEF Canada. “Why relegate their importance to the future when we can learn from them right now? They offer some of the most insightful, powerful and experienced voices of today. When we listen to children and youth, we can better understand their well-being, what they need from us and what they have to contribute – and that’s important for all of us.”
From coast to coast to coast, MPs will be hearing from students on everything from climate change to health care to international trade – on the kind of Canada they want to live in. Their ideas will help MPs make decisions informed by the youngest citizens.
“Every year we run this event and every year we hear back from MPs about how eye-opening it was,” said Morley. “They get asked questions on things they might not have even realized are an issue, but kids are paying attention to the world around them. They want a say on how their country works, and parliamentarians should use these opinions to guide them in making decisions affecting our youngest citizens.”
“Bring Your MP to School Day” is a precursor to National Child Day and World Children’s Day on November 20, when children across Canada and around the world will speak out on the issues that matter most to them, ‘taking-over’ high-visibility roles in media, politics, sport, schools and entertainment.
“We have an international obligation to listen to children’s views,” said Morley, “but it’s also the smart thing to do. Because kids don’t only have lots of questions – they have some of the best answers, too.”
To learn more about UNICEF Canada’s “Bring Your MP to School Day,” visit www.unicef.ca/ncd. To learn more about World Children’s Day and let children take over your role for one day, email wcd@info.ca.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.