03 — AREA OF WORK
Advocacy
Real change happens when children have a seat at the table.
WHAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE CALLING FOR
These are just some of what children and youth are calling for.
WHY IT MATTERS
When institutions listen to children, the solutions get better.
At OneChild we uphold children’s rights to help shape the laws, policies and decisions that affect their lives. When governments and institutions create pathways to listen to children’s views, they create solutions that are more practical, more effective and more responsive to what children are facing.
That’s why for 20 years we’ve mobilized young people to be the first to call for change — and acted as a bridge, positioning them to join forces with NGOs, law enforcement, child protection professionals, parents and communities in demanding action from government, intergovernmental organizations and industry.
Children’s expertise
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Adult expertise and influence
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Better policies and services for children
OUR APPROACH
Three ways we make room for children’s voices.
01
Educating on children’s right to have a say
We educate Canada’s lawmakers and policymakers on their commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child — and work to hold them accountable for ensuring children and youth are listened to, taken seriously and meaningfully included in decisions that affect their lives.
02
Making sure children have a say
Where children have never been sought out for their perspectives, we urge and support law and policy makers in creating mechanisms to hear children’s views.
03
Empowering children to speak their truth and mobilize for change
We give children the knowledge and information to help develop their own views on the issues that affect them — and the training, tools, mentorship, networks, platforms and access to decision-makers to do something about it. Through initiatives such as our Youth Advisory Squad, young people learn to advocate, organize and campaign for stronger laws, policies and protections for children.
HOW OUR YOUTH MEMBERS ADVOCATE
Eight ways young people take action.
We provide children and youth with comprehensive, expert-led education on the sexual exploitation of children and children’s rights. As young people share what they’re seeing and experiencing—from unsafe technology and sextortion to child sex trafficking—we provide the education, advocacy training, mentorship, and opportunities to:
Meet Decision-Makers
Our youth advocates meet elected officials, government representatives and industry representatives to share concerns and recommendations directly.
Participate in Consultations
They contribute to national and international consultations on laws, policies, and strategies focused on child protection.
Present at Policy Forums
They speak at conferences, hearings, summits and other forums where decisions affecting children are discussed.
Lead Campaigns and Petitions
Youth organize letter-writing campaigns, petitions and calls to action that build public pressure for change.
Educate and Mobilize the Public
They raise awareness, lead workshops, share information and encourage communities to act.
Speak Through the Media
Young advocates use interviews, articles and public commentary to bring children’s priorities into wider conversations.
Train Policymakers and Professionals
They help decision-makers, law enforcement and child protection professionals understand children’s realities and priorities.
Build Strategic Alliances
They work alongside NGOs, law enforcement, governments, industry and communities already advancing child protection.
FEATURED YOUTH IMPACT
Our Youth Members Are Helping Shape the Decisions That Protect Children.
With advocacy skills development and coaching, and access to decision-makers; OneChild’s young advocates have influenced industries, national campaigns and global policy conversations. Examples include:
22M+
people reached
Through an innovative national, youth-led campaign that raised awareness of Canada’s extraterritorial laws against child sexual offending, and mobilized the public to help report the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.
Successfully sparked the Canadian private sector’s first-ever action in the fight against sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.
Co-led the first-ever nation-wide campaign against the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism that united government, law enforcement, NGOs, airlines, airports, travel agencies, and embassies and consulates, impacting millions.
Contributed to a report on violence against children by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children for presentation to the UN General Assembly.
And this is only part of what young people have achieved.
Youth advocacy in action.
#MyVoiceMyFuture Global Youth Advocacy Campaign for Online Safety
The #MyVoiceMyFuture campaign was a global youth advocacy campaign led by the WeProtect Global Alliance to ensure children’s voices help shape the future of online safety. Through consultations with 109 children and youth across 10 countries, young people shared their experiences, concerns, and priorities for creating a safer digital world, with a special focus on preventing online child sexual exploitation. Their insights informed the SafetyNet Manifesto—a youth-led roadmap calling on governments, technology companies, and other decision-makers to strengthen children’s digital rights and protections.
OneChild’s Role: OneChild was selected as one of the global partner organizations to facilitate Canada’s youth consultation. We engaged Canadian children and youth in discussions on online safety, digital rights, and technology-facilitated sexual exploitation, ensuring their perspectives contributed to the global findings and the development of the SafetyNet Manifesto. Learn more.
LEGISLATION · BILL C-34
Helping young people understand and influence the Safe Social Media Act
When the Government of Canada introduced the Bill C-34 the Safe Social Media, we wanted to help children understand what was being proposed so they could develop their own opinions on the proposed legislation.
Taking over the OneChild Instagram Account, they shared youth-created social media content that broke down the legislation into clear, easy-to-understand information and encouraged fellow young people to learn about the changes being proposed.
Then when the government invited OneChild to participate in a thematic session, our youth leaders stepped up. Nitura (16), Sage (15), and Gabriel (18) participated in discussions on online safety, age-appropriate design, harmful content, and meaningful youth engagement, helping ensure that young people’s perspectives were represented.
Following the session, youth leaders developed a written submission to the government to further elaborate on their perspectives, concerns, and ideas. We are committed to ensuring that youth voices are heard and respected throughout the legislative process.
NATIONAL CONSULTATION
OneChild Youth Advocates Contribute to Consultation on Canada’s First Men and Boys’ Health Strategy
Recognizing that healthy masculinity, respectful relationships, consent and gender equity are essential to preventing violence and exploitation, our boy advocates shared recommendations on how Canada can better support the health and well-being of boys and young men. Their submission contributed to the Government’s national conversation, helping ensure young people’s voices were reflected in Canada’s first national strategy on men’s and boys’ health.
MEDIA & PUBLIC ADVOCACY
Youth voices in Canada’s online safety conversation
Our Youth Advisory Squad members are sharing their perspectives on online safety, technology regulation and the protections children need. Most recently, OneChild youth member Hargun was featured in The Globe and Mail on proposed social media restrictions for children under 16; members also shared their views with the Toronto Star.
Meta Youth Advisors
We serve on Meta’s Youth Wellbeing Advisory Board, contributing our expertise in child participation, online safety, and the prevention of child sexual exploitation.
Speaking at the UN Optional Protocol’s 20th anniversary
OneChild youth were invited to speak at the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
CONTENT NEEDED
Cambodian children advocate to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
Heading only in the content doc — copy and a photo needed before this card can be published.
Help the next generation of advocates lead change.
Recommend a young person
Know a young person who is passionate about making a difference, or who has lived experience of sexual exploitation and wishes to use it to protect other children? Help connect them with advocacy opportunities where they can build confidence, develop leadership skills and influence decisions.
Support youth advocacy
Your generosity helps remove young people’s barriers to taking action, and equips them with the advocacy tools, coaching and opportunities they need to protect themselves and other children.
Explore more of our work.
CHILD SURVIVOR EMPOWERMENT
We’re training the next generation of advocates against the sexual exploitation of children.
Are you an organization that wants to consult with youth, or add youth to your advocacy efforts? Contact us.