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OUR ADVOCACY PRIORITIES

In addition to providing frontline services, the Centre for Refugee Children is committed to enhancing access to justice for refugee and migrant children through our advocacy work

A REFUGEE SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR CHILDREN

Refugee children are forced to navigate systems that are designed for adults. Our centre regularly advocates for child-friendly systems

FAMILY REUNIFICATION FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILD REFUGEES

Children who are accepted as refugees in Canada do not have the right to bring their parents or siblings to Canada.

A ROADMAP TO JUSTICE:
SYSTEMS CHANGE PROJECT

What is our goal?

We hope to transform the immigration system to be more inclusive to and supportive of unaccompanied refugee youth. Most minors are expected to navigate the system alone or are treated as accessories for their legal guardian’s immigration process. Often when they get support it’s too late and limited. We are seeking to change this.

How are we getting there?

Led by a team of passionate and engaged migrant youth, we are doing research, stakeholder engagement, and exploring legislative changes. We hope that this two-year groundwork effort will become a long-term project, providing a solid implementation plan to transform the system.

How to get involved?

If you are a youth and want to contribute your voice, or you are an organization and want to support the project, reach out to the project coordinator: [email protected]

This project has been made possible with the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Youth Opportunity Fund

THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Canada signed the UNCRC in 1991. How are we doing in fulfilling our commitments?

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child released a report in June 2022 on how Canada is doing in our commitment to children’s rights. The report included important recommendations to uphold the rights of refugee children: