three young people dressed as adults working

#KidsTakeOver 2020

It’s that time of year again, #KidsTakeOver!!  This opportunity for young people to take over helps foster belonging and the the idea that children and youth feel valued, heard and included.

November 20th is National Child Day and just like in previous years, UNICEF has launched #KidsTakeOver, an initiative to make National Child Day stand out and give children and youth all over the world a voice.  Last year, young people in Waterloo Region took over, thanks, in part to the efforts of our partners.

From taking over as Waterloo Mayor, Principal, and Chief of Police, to being interviewed on 570 NEWS with Mike Farwell and taking over programming at the Waterloo Public Library, young people in Waterloo Region had some really great opportunities.

 

This year, it’s even easier to get involved.

HERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT ALLIES TO HELP #KIDSTAKEOVER:
  • Use the hashtags #KidsTakeOver, #KTOWR and #StayInToSpeakOut to help get the word out.
  • Encourage everyone to wear blue! (Just like they did at the Kitchener Waterloo Comunity Foundation and the Region of Waterloo Community Services).
  • Use your social media account to tell people how you plan to let children and youth take over and then CHALLENGE someone to do the same!
  • Plan a SOCIAL MEDIA takeover in your organization.  Provide opportunities for young people to take over your social media accounts for the day.
  • Support young people with their takeover ideas and provide them with the opportunity to participate at home and work.

IDEAS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH:

  • TAKE OVER the social media accounts for a business or organization you care about.
  • Write a blog post.
  • Host a virtual team meeting.
HOW CYPT CAN HELP:
  • Do you want to host a takeover but don’t know any young people who would be interested? Let us know and we’ll do our best to match you and your organization up.
  • Do you know a young person who would like to participate but you don’t know how? Connect them with us and we’ll do our best to match them with an organization.
LAST YEAR, there were some fantastic Takeovers’ in Waterloo Region.  Click here to see photos from the day.
Download the UNICEF toolkit: CLICK HERE

In Waterloo Region, we’re excited to be participating in #KidsTakeOver and we’d like to challenge all CYPT members to participate!