UNICEF NZ Launches New Book to Champion Kiwi Kids’ Rights

9 November 2011

UNICEF NZ Launches New Book to Champion Kiwi Kids’ Rights

UNICEF NZ is launching a new children’s picture book ‘For Each and Every Child’/ He Taonga Tonu te Tamariki’, to celebrate and champion the rights of children in New Zealand. The book’s launch coincides with the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC).

During the week beginning Sunday 20 November, the book will be launched at libraries, schools and early childhood centres across New Zealand. The ‘Read & Rights’ events will introduce the book to children in their local communities so that children can learn about and discover the relevance of their own set of human rights

‘For Each and Every Child/He Taonga Tonu te Tamariki’ is illustrated by New Zealand artists and written in a way that children will understand and enjoy. The book features Maori text alongside the English, with a foreword written by Chief Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft.

UNICEF’s National Advocacy Manager, Barbara Lambourn said, “‘For Each and Every Child - He Taonga Tonu te Tamariki’ is a unique and inspiring book with an important message. It celebrates our children’s rights and gives us the opportunity to tell Kiwi children, their families and their communities about those rights through their own language and imagery.”

Last year UNICEF NZ joined forces with child advocates in Christchurch to trial ‘Read & Rights’ events which aimed to raise awareness of reading about and discussing children’s rights using a UK version of the book. With more than 400 children and 100 adults, including 64 early childhood students, the response was very enthusiastic and paved the way for a New Zealand edition of the book produced by Learning Media.

Ms Lambourn added, “Getting children to read about and understand their rights is very important in raising awareness of the concept and we’re thrilled that local libraries and early childhood centres are working with UNICEF NZ to make this happen.

“The book’s launch and accompanying ‘Read and Rights’ events coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention On the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989 – one of the most key events for children in history. Please get involved with an event near you and help ensure everyone understands the important of our children’s rights,” Ms Lambourn said.

UNCROC was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989 and subsequently by New Zealand in 1993. To find out more about For Each and Every Child - He Taonga Tonu te Tamariki and events happening in your area, please visit http://www.unicef.org.nz/ReadAndRights

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.

The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Every $1 donated to us is worth at least $10 in the field thanks to the way we work in partnership with governments, local NGOs and other partners. www.unicef.org.nz

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