SEVERAL civil society organisations in Malaysia have joined forces for the “My Promise to Children” campaign, launched recently to activate the promise made 25 years ago to children, when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Nov 20, 1989.
Published: Tuesday November 25, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday November 25, 2014 MYT 10:56:26 AM
SEVERAL civil society organisations in Malaysia have joined forces for the “My Promise to Children” campaign, launched recently to activate the promise made 25 years ago to children, when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Nov 20, 1989.
Malaysia acceded to the CRC on Feb 17, 1995.
The civil-society campaign is spearheaded by the Association of Registered Child Care Providers Malaysia (PPBM), Bar Council Malaysia, the Child Rights Coalition of Malaysia (CRCM), DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Isobar, Malaysia Paediatric Association (MPA), National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC), The School at Jaya One, The Scouts Association of Malaysia and the United Nations Children Fund (Unicef).
The CRC is the most widely ratified human rights agreement in the world, reflecting a global commitment to the principles of children’s rights.
It establishes a set of fundamental rights that all children and young people under 18 must have to survive, thrive and realise their potential.
The campaign will provide the public with a platform to unite and show their support to children.
Concerned members of the public can learn more about child rights and make their promise to children via www.mypromisetochildren.org
They can then share their promise with friends, family and loved ones on their social networks.
The website also features videos, quizzes, and other information materials including a DiGi-sponsored animated puppet video that explains children’s rights in child-friendly language.
A special feature of the website – “Ask The Expert” – will enable parents and those caring for children to ask questions relating to quality childcare; children with disabilities; children’s rights and the law; and online safety.
Experts from the PPBM, NECIC, Bar Council and DiGi will respond to questions, accordingly.
The campaign will also be complemented with ground initiatives that champion specific issues for children under the banner of My Promise to Children.
These include the PPBM year-long “Stop It Now! #ENDviolence Against Children” campaign to raise awareness on child abuse and DiGi Telecommunications Cybersafe education in schools.
The Bar Council and Proham will be conducting activities for young people during Human Rights Week 2014; while The School at Jaya One has set up feature walls at their premises to promote child rights to visitors to the mall, a result of a collaboration with design students from IACT.
Several celebrities, including Bront Palarae, Hunny Madu and Sasi the Don, have joined in to champion the campaign and encourage their fans and followers to join them in making a promise to children.
In addition, organisations such as AirAsia Big, NuffNang, Says.my, Isobar, iProspect, PosterScope, Vizeum and Weber Shandwick are supporting this initiative through their respective expertise, social media and digital networks.
The three-month campaign will continue until March 2015 to commemorate 20 years of child rights in Malaysia.
