7th November 2011

1000 days to get it right for every child: Political candidates urged to sign up to pledge for children

Every Child Counts launched its political pledge for children in Wellington today, with all the Labour Party caucus, Green Party caucus and candidates and Rāhui Kātene from the Māori party confirming their support for the pledge.

We will be approaching all candidates of all parties over the next few days encouraging them to also take the pledge. The response this morning was most heartening and reflects the fact that children’s issues, especially child poverty, are now fairly and squarely an election issue.

“The political pledge is part of our campaign for more effective investment in children. The 1000 day (three year) parliamentary term spans the crucial first 1000 days of a child’s life – when the most important physical, mental and social development occurs. The first 1000 days represents the greatest chance politicians have to get it right now and for the future,” said Every Child Counts chairperson Murray Edridge.

The political pledge for children reads:
I pledge myself to work with the highest priority to ensure every child in New Zealand is given the best possible opportunity in their first 1000 days by
i) clear ministerial responsibility for children
ii) the introduction of child impact assessments
iii) development of a comprehensive programme of government action to change the status of children that includes a commitment to ending child poverty by 2020, and strategies specific to Māori and Pasifika.

Every Child Counts will maintain a list of the candidates who have signed up to the pledge on its website. Photos of the launch are available here.

ENDS

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