Engage
Imagine a pair of glasses that allows you to see the world in a different way—to see how everything we do impacts in some way on children, our most vulnerable citizens. This is the "Child Honouring lens," the ability to see how all our actions affect children somehow.
For example, your decision to buy a box of pre-sweetened breakfast cereal encourages the manufacturer to make more of them, and to unfairly market them directly to the most impressionable consumers—children. On a large scale, this can lead to a host of problems—from children’s television shows that are little more than advertisements aimed at kids, to childhood health issues, including obesity. On the other hand, choosing an organic cereal product is an investment in vibrant soils, good health, and organic food production and distribution.
A good way to become accustomed to seeing through this lens is by reflecting on the Child Honouring Covenant and Principles. Consider the Principles one by one (and together) to see where you might apply them in your daily life.
If we each develop a respectful way of being with the children in our care and our communities, we can turn our lenses into action in both the things we do that affect children and in the ways we can influence others to put children first.
On a very practical level, there are actions you can take right now to help make a difference. If you would like to help forward the mission of advancing Child Honouring as a universal ethic, here are only some of the ways you can help:
- Sign the Plea – add your name to the list of people around the world calling for an end to all forms of violence against children
- Choose sustainable products and services wherever possible—switch the paper you use to 100% post-consumer recycled (chlorine-free) for example
- Write to your elected representative to urge a ban on advertising to kids
- Share the Covenant & Principles with an educator you know
- Tell your local Chamber of Commerce about Child Honouring: inspire businesses to become partners in sustainability
- Donate - help us keep this very important work going strong
- Participate
- Forward the Proclamation to spiritual leaders in your community.
- Are you a Beluga Grad? Connect and act with fellow Beluga Grads!
- Become a Friend of the Centre
- Partner with us and spread the word!
