Media Advisory
DATE: November 22, 2001
Children’s Advocate Information Material Wins International Award
The International Forum for Child Welfare (IFCW) has given The Office of the Children’s Advocate top honours for their information pack.
The Media Award was announced at WorldForum 2001 in Limerick, Ireland on August 30, 2001. The forum attracted leading professionals, practitioners, policy makers, academics and managers to share organizational and program experience, to exchange cross cultural ideas, and to explore new approaches to current issues surrounding the welfare of children.
Materials submitted by The Office of the Children’s Advocate included information brochures directed to three levels of readers, business cards, stationary, pins, notepads, door hangers, mouse pads and decks of playing cards as well as the 1999-2000 Annual Report Material. The majority of the items were created exclusively for distribution to children and youth in care.
The Children’s Advocate was not in attendance at WorldForum 2001 when the award was announced. When notified, Mirwaldt said it was particularly gratifying to receive the award knowing that they had worked with children and youth in care to create the information package.
"It can often be a highly traumatic time for children and youth who are coming into the care of child and family services agencies. It is important to inform children and youth about their rights and that our office exists to help them," said Children’s Advocate Janet Mirwaldt. "We are very pleased that our commitment to letting these young people know about our services has been recognized with an international award."
In commenting on the award bestowed upon the Children’s Advocate, Peter Dudding, Executive Director of the Child Welfare League of Canada stated: "To achieve this honor on an international stage is a great accomplishment. We all take great pride in your success."
The International Forum for Child Welfare is an international non-government organization dedicated to fostering cooperation and information exchange in the field of child welfare. It was established in 1989 to advance the well being of children globally and holds consultative status with the United Nations. The IFCW, through its member organization, are involved with millions of children across the world.
The entries were judged upon the following criteria at WorldForum 2001:
The Children’s Advocate exists to represent the rights, interests and viewpoints of children receiving, or entitled to receive, child and family services in Manitoba. As an independent office of Manitoba’s Legislative Assembly, the Children’s Advocate reports directly to the legislative assembly and operates in an arm’s length relationship with the child welfare system.
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