Celebrating Children’s Right to Culture, Language, and Belief

As we mark National Child Day, communities across Alberta are celebrating children and the rights that support their well-being. This year’s theme focuses on Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protects every child’s right to enjoy their culture, speak their language, and practice their beliefs. These rights are closely connected to Article 8, which protects identity, and Article 14, which protects freedom of thought and belief. Together, they remind us that belonging and identity are essential parts of a child’s well-being.

As a student completing a Master’s Degree in Intercultural and International Communication, I have learned that culture shapes how individuals understand themselves, how they communicate, and how they make meaning from the world around them. From an intercultural perspective, belonging is created through recognizing and valuing difference. I recently began my practicum at the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA), and learning about the organization’s role has helped me understand how rights are communicated, practiced, and protected.

Children’s rights are guaranteed under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada ratified in 1991. These rights function as legal obligations that shape how governments and institutions support young people. The OCYA works with many partners to help uphold these rights in meaningful and practical ways, whether in classrooms, community programs, health settings, or justice systems.

Children’s rights appear in the everyday places where young people learn, grow, and connect with others. In schools, inclusive classrooms help children see their languages and traditions reflected around them. Activities such as Language Sharing Walls or Culture Days invite students to share who they are, and rights-based teaching supports fairness and a sense of belonging. In the child intervention system, workers and advocates focus on helping young people maintain meaningful ties to their culture, community, and family traditions. This continuity is especially important for Indigenous and newcomer children, whose cultural identities hold deep personal and community significance.

In the justice system, healing-centred and restorative approaches recognize that every young person brings their own background and lived experiences. Supporting youth participation ensures that their voices shape the decisions that affect their lives. Rights also guide practices in health settings, where culturally informed mental health supports help address challenges like discrimination and stigma.

Community organizations extend these efforts beyond formal systems. Libraries, youth programs, and cultural centres across Alberta create welcoming spaces where children can share stories, languages, and traditions. Partnerships with civic and non-profit organizations help create a broader network of support that honours identity and strengthens the feeling of belonging for young people across the province.

Every sector contributes something important to children’s rights. When education, health, justice, child welfare, and community partners work together, they create a kaleidoscope of support where each child’s culture and identity can shine. The OCYA’s collaborations across the province show that advocacy becomes stronger when organizations recognize the significance of cultural rights and act on them together.

National Child Day is an opportunity to celebrate children, but it is also a reminder that every sector plays a role in advancing their rights. Even small, practical steps within everyday work can make a meaningful difference. Educators might share a story or classroom activity that highlights culture or identity. Community and youth-serving organizations can host an activity to create inclusive spaces where young people feel welcomed and valued. Those working in health, justice, or child intervention can reflect on how their programs align with the principles of the UNCRC and create space for children’s voices in decisions that affect them.

When we honour children’s cultures and listen to their experiences, we help create communities where every child feels they belong. Together, we can help make the promise of cultural belonging a reality across Alberta, ensuring every child feels seen, valued, and supported in who they are.

– Nieva Srayko, Practicum Student at the Office of Child and Youth Advocate