Message Board
Jo Wood
Director General, Education Directorate
ACT Children’s Week 2026 provides an important opportunity to celebrate children and young people and recognise their rights, voices and contributions. The ACT Education Directorate is proud to continue supporting this annual event and the important conversations it sparks about creating communities where all children can thrive.
This year’s theme is based on Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion." The theme highlights the importance of ensuring that all children can express who they are, maintain connections to their culture and heritage and feel respected and valued in their communities.
The ACT is strengthened by the rich diversity of its children, families and communities. When children see their identities recognised and respected, they develop a stronger sense of belonging, confidence and wellbeing. Schools and early childhood settings play a critical role in fostering belonging for every child, including through culturally responsive teaching and learning and creating opportunities for children to express who they are and share their cultures, languages and stories.
The Directorate is committed to supporting learning environments that celebrate diversity, strengthen connections between children, families and communities, and ensure children and young people can have their voices heard.
The Directorate also acknowledges the unique cultures, languages and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Supporting children and young people to learn about and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, while honouring the diverse cultural backgrounds of all families in the ACT, helps strengthen respect, understanding and reconciliation within our community. Families are children's first teachers and their knowledge and cultural traditions make a vital contribution to their learning and development.
Children’s Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we can uphold the rights of children in our everyday actions. Whether at home, in early childhood education settings, schools or the broader community, we each have a role to play in creating spaces where children feel safe, respected and empowered to be themselves.
I thank the families, carers, educators, community organisations and volunteers whose dedication enriches the lives of children and young people across the ACT. I also acknowledge the ACT Children’s Week Committee for bringing this important celebration to life and promoting awareness of the rights of children and young people.
Together, we can continue to create a community where every child feels a sense of belonging, can proudly express their identity, culture and language, and is supported to achieve their full potential.
This year’s theme is based on Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion." The theme highlights the importance of ensuring that all children can express who they are, maintain connections to their culture and heritage and feel respected and valued in their communities.
The ACT is strengthened by the rich diversity of its children, families and communities. When children see their identities recognised and respected, they develop a stronger sense of belonging, confidence and wellbeing. Schools and early childhood settings play a critical role in fostering belonging for every child, including through culturally responsive teaching and learning and creating opportunities for children to express who they are and share their cultures, languages and stories.
The Directorate is committed to supporting learning environments that celebrate diversity, strengthen connections between children, families and communities, and ensure children and young people can have their voices heard.
The Directorate also acknowledges the unique cultures, languages and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Supporting children and young people to learn about and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, while honouring the diverse cultural backgrounds of all families in the ACT, helps strengthen respect, understanding and reconciliation within our community. Families are children's first teachers and their knowledge and cultural traditions make a vital contribution to their learning and development.
Children’s Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we can uphold the rights of children in our everyday actions. Whether at home, in early childhood education settings, schools or the broader community, we each have a role to play in creating spaces where children feel safe, respected and empowered to be themselves.
I thank the families, carers, educators, community organisations and volunteers whose dedication enriches the lives of children and young people across the ACT. I also acknowledge the ACT Children’s Week Committee for bringing this important celebration to life and promoting awareness of the rights of children and young people.
Together, we can continue to create a community where every child feels a sense of belonging, can proudly express their identity, culture and language, and is supported to achieve their full potential.
