Securing the Future of Children and Youth

In keeping with Canada's Aid Effectiveness Agenda, the Government of Canada is committed to making Canada's international assistance more effective, more focused, and more accountable.

Securing the future of children and youth is one of the three priority themes that will guide the work of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) going forward. Canada recognizes that children and youth are key agents of change in developing countries, but that they also shoulder some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Focusing on children and youth is one of the best ways to achieve long-term development and poverty reduction. CIDA aims to achieve concrete results that will make a significant, sustainable difference in the lives of children and youth. Special attention will be focused on young women and girls because investment in girls and women brings great social and economic returns to their societies.

On Universal Children's Day, November 20, 2009, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, unveiled CIDA's Children and Youth Strategy and identified three paths for action:

• Child survival, including maternal health
• Access to quality education, particularly for girls
• Safety and security of children and youth

CIDA will refocus programming to support efforts that ensure that children have the best possible start in life by putting in place programs and projects that have a positive impact on child survival and maternal health.

Helping developing countries achieve their education goals has been a key part of CIDA's work for many years. Going forward, CIDA will promote access to basic education of good quality, so that children complete the first 10 years of school and gain the knowledge and skills they need to contribute to their families and communities.

CIDA's new strategy also includes measures to create a safe and secure environment for children to learn and grow to become productive members of their societies.

All children have a right to be healthy, receive quality education, and grow up in a safe and secure society. CIDA is committed to helping children and youth in developing countries attain their full potential to become the strong, positive, and engaged citizens of tomorrow.