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The following vision, values and goals have been amended to reflect suggestions and ideas offered by Canadians who participated in the public dialogue. These statements are the foundation of the National Children's Agenda.

Governments recognize that the National Children's Agenda will work only if it reaches beyond governments and inspires all Canadians to help put children front and centre. Citizens understand their own communities and their own partners best. We invite everyone to join in hope, and in a special promise to make room for children in the centre of our society.

... an adult participant

A) Our Vision: What do we, as a society, want for our children?

• We want all of our children to be loved and to thrive.
• We want every child to be valued and to develop his or her unique physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and creative capacities.
• We want every child to be respected and protected, and in turn, to respect and protect the rights of others.
• We want all of our children to belong and contribute to communities that appreciate diversity, support different abilities and share their resources.

• We believe that children thrive within families and communities that can meet their physical needs, as well as provide security, nurturing, respect and love. We believe we can support children by helping parents, families and their communities provide the resources their children need.
• We believe our children must be recognized for their inherent worth and valued for who they are as much as who they will become. We believe that children's voices must be respected in determining their best interests. We believe that protecting children's interests is a basic social responsibility.
• We believe in the importance of parents, elders and extended families in nurturing Aboriginal children. We value the voices of Aboriginal children, and honour their traditional and spiritual significance in Aboriginal communities.
• We believe in the importance of educators, coaches, caregivers and other mentors in nurturing children. We believe in the value of working together.
• We believe our goals for children must reflect Canada's rich traditions and cultures. We believe our goals must be achieved in partnership with the communities we live in.
• We believe that the protections granted to children by Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child must be preserved.

The following goals incorporate knowledge we have about influences on child development. They are directed by the National Children's Agenda's vision for children and the values this vision embodies. The goals are focused on four measurable areas: health; safety and security; success at learning; and social engagement and responsibility. We can track our progress in achieving these goals by measuring and reporting on key indicators and influences on children's lives.

As a nation, we aspire to have children who are:

1. Healthy-Physically and Emotionally
   Children who are as physically and emotionally healthy as they can be, with strong self-esteem, life skills and enthusiasm. Children who are physically and mentally active, live healthy lifestyles, are free of preventable disease and injury, and enjoy healthy environments.
2. Safe and Secure
   Children whose basic needs are met, including love, shelter, food, clothing, recreation and play. Children who are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and dangerous environments, and who are given support by caring adults.
3. Successful at Learning
   Children who achieve physical, emotional and social development, language skills, literacy, numeracy and general knowledge to the best of their capabilities. Children who are ready for learning throughout their lives so they can gain the abilities they need for present and future fulfillment.
4. Socially Engaged and Responsible
   Children who can form stable attachments to nurturing adults when they are young and develop supportive relationships within and outside their families. Children who value Canada's cultural heritage and diversity, and who develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of belonging to a wider society. Children who respect themselves and others through being respected, and understand the personal and social consequences of their choices.