Yvette Berry

ACT Children’s Week offers the opportunity to come together to recognise and celebrate young people’s achievements and rights.

The ACT Government supports this year’s theme, which reflects Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: ‘Children have the right to relax, play and take part in activities they enjoy’.

The ACT Government is committed to giving every child a fair start to life. This includes supporting young people to participate in activities that enhance their wellbeing and development.

Our vision for Canberra’s children is set out across three ten-year strategies – Best Start for Canberra’s Children: The First 1000 Days Strategy, The Future of Education: An ACT Education Strategy and Set Up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT.

We know equitable access to quality, play-based early learning has life-long benefits. As part of Set up for Success, the ACT Government is extending access to free preschool to all three-year-olds from 2024. This will provide more ACT children the opportunity to access a wide range of quality, play-based experiences.

I would like to acknowledge the families, carers, educators, community workers and volunteers who work together every day to support and foster children and young people’s interests, endeavours and right to quality play environments.

During ACT Children’s Week, I encourage you to reflect upon how we can continue to support our children and young people to engage in the wide range of play, recreational, artistic, and cultural activities that are the essence of childhood.

You will find a number of activities being run over ACT Children’s Week on this website www.actchildrensweek.org.au