Message Board
Kareena Arthy
Director-General
Health and Community Services Directorate
Health and Community Services Directorate
This ACT Children’s Week, I am proud to celebrate the diversity, strengths and rights of every child in our community.
This year’s theme, the right of every child to use their own language, celebrate their culture, and practice their religion, reminds us that every child deserves to grow up feeling respected, valued and free to be themselves. A strong sense of identity, belonging and connection is fundamental to a child’s wellbeing, confidence and ability to thrive.
At the Health and Community Services Directorate, our purpose is simple: quality care, healthier lives, stronger communities. Through our work with children, young people and families, we strive to create communities where diversity is embraced, inclusion is championed, and every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Whether supporting children directly or working alongside families and communities, we know positive outcomes are strengthened when people feel safe to express who they are and maintain connections to their culture, language, faith and traditions. These connections help build resilience, strengthen wellbeing and foster a sense of belonging.
Children’s Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the role we play in supporting children’s rights and ensuring their voices are heard. By valuing and celebrating diversity, we help create environments where children feel safe, connected and empowered to succeed.
Importantly, every child deserves to feel seen, heard and valued. This Children’s Week let’s celebrate the rich diversity of our community and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every child can grow up proud of who they are, confident in their identity and supported to thrive.
Congratulations to those being honoured at this year’s ACT Children’s Week awards ceremony for the work you do to improve the lives of children and young people in Canberra.I
would also like to thank the ACT Children’s Week Committee for their ongoing dedication to raising awareness of children’s rights and celebrating their achievements.
Kareena Arthy
Director-General
Health and Community Services Directorate
ACT Government
This year’s theme, the right of every child to use their own language, celebrate their culture, and practice their religion, reminds us that every child deserves to grow up feeling respected, valued and free to be themselves. A strong sense of identity, belonging and connection is fundamental to a child’s wellbeing, confidence and ability to thrive.
At the Health and Community Services Directorate, our purpose is simple: quality care, healthier lives, stronger communities. Through our work with children, young people and families, we strive to create communities where diversity is embraced, inclusion is championed, and every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Whether supporting children directly or working alongside families and communities, we know positive outcomes are strengthened when people feel safe to express who they are and maintain connections to their culture, language, faith and traditions. These connections help build resilience, strengthen wellbeing and foster a sense of belonging.
Children’s Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the role we play in supporting children’s rights and ensuring their voices are heard. By valuing and celebrating diversity, we help create environments where children feel safe, connected and empowered to succeed.
Importantly, every child deserves to feel seen, heard and valued. This Children’s Week let’s celebrate the rich diversity of our community and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every child can grow up proud of who they are, confident in their identity and supported to thrive.
Congratulations to those being honoured at this year’s ACT Children’s Week awards ceremony for the work you do to improve the lives of children and young people in Canberra.I
would also like to thank the ACT Children’s Week Committee for their ongoing dedication to raising awareness of children’s rights and celebrating their achievements.
Kareena Arthy
Director-General
Health and Community Services Directorate
ACT Government
