Making Children and Young People Count

2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the United Nations' International Year of the Child. This is an ideal opportunity for the Church to adopt 2009 as a celebration of children and childhood by:

• reviewing our work with children and young people.
• celebrating their contribution in the life of the Church and of wider society.
• challenging the Church to fresh vision and expression, inspired by the spirit of the child.

It is an opportunity to make 2009 a year in which the issues, injustices and challenges facing young people today can be highlighted.  It gives chance for work with children and young people to be celebrated.  It is an ideal chance to facilitate new initiatives with and for young people.  It has so many strategic possibilities not just for celebrating at an event, but also lasting change and growth. 

YOTC09 is neither a prescriptive project or a centrally driven programme. It is a framework for the whole Church to utilise in whatever way it feels it can best mark this important anniversary. It could be a large gathering of children with a party atmosphere with a local Bishop or it could be a new project tackling the social problems of gang culture!

On this site we hope to gather stories, offer resources and contacts to help you make 2009 the Year of the Child!

Join us, let us know what you are doing and together let us make a difference.

nigel chapman, doug swanney, ellie wilson, sue witts