ABOUT US
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
INSPIRING HEALTHY FUTURES
INSPIRING HEALTHY FUTURES
INSPIRING HEALTHY FUTURES
A Vision for Canada's Children, Youth and Families
#WeCANforKids
TOMORROW
STARTS TODAY
Canadians imagine a better future for children, youth and families.
To make this vision a reality, youth, parents, researchers, educators, advocates, policymakers, service providers, community and business leaders and others came together to co-create Inspiring Healthy Futures.
It’s a commitment that will be the foundation for leaders, organizations and governments to create a healthier, stronger future for children, youth and families in Canada.
That commitment starts now.
AN URGENT NEED FOR ACTION
According to the most recent UNICEF report card, Canada ranks among the countries with the best economic, environmental and social conditions for growing up, but the poorest health and well-being outcomes for children and youth.
Simply put, there was collective agreement that this isn’t good enough for our children and youth. We must do better.
Through engagement and conversation with youth, parents, service providers, youth-serving agencies, cross-sector experts and researchers, Inspiring Healthy Futures was born - a vision that will be the catalyst for action and drive change in our country.
We cannot wait one moment longer to create the future our youth deserve today.
We will and we can move forward. We will inspire healthier futures.
#WeCANforKids
OUR
KEY FINDINGS
Children’s lives are multi-dimensional, and solutions must be, too. We agree that children and youth cannot thrive without:
INTERLINKED
PRIORITIES
At the centre of the action framework are mobilized communities, spanning youth initiatives, research
collaborations, grassroots parent groups, advocacy initiatives and community and industry partnerships.
These active, robust, empowered groups will translate the ideas and knowledge of different stakeholders into action.
Detailed actions within each priority have been identified, creating a long-term, unified agenda for meaningful change.
WHY
NOW?
Because every day in the life of a child matters.
“This pandemic magnified all of society’s ills and inequities for all to see. If we have an ounce of moral fibre, we must take action. Going back to life prior to COVID-19 is not an option, as that ‘normal’ was not working for a lot of people.”
All of these statistics are worse within vulnerable populations.
The pandemic has stretched inequalities wider.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
UNICEF Canada’s One Youth is working to make Canada the best place in the world to grow up in. As the global UN agency for kids, UNICEF has worked to improve conditions for every child around the world for 75 years, and has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization. UNICEF Canada’s One Youth brings that work to Canada by measuring child and youth well-being, and advocating for the right to a childhood.
The Pediatric Chairs of Canada represents the Department Heads (Chairs) of Pediatrics within the seventeen Canadian medical schools. Collectively they provide national leadership in research and education to promote the health and healthcare of children and youth in Canada.
Children’s Healthcare Canada is a national association representing health service delivery organizations serving children and youth across the continuum of care. Through purposeful partnerships, we accelerate excellence and innovation in health systems caring for children and youth.
ABOUT
CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada’s federal funding agency for health research. IHDCYH is one of 13 CIHR institutes and supports research that ensures the best start in life for all Canadians and the achievement of their potential for optimal growth and development. CIHR-IHDCYH supports researchers located in universities, hospitals and other research centres, and creates linkages with other stakeholders across Canada.
CHAMPIONS
