As a member of ChildFund Alliance, CCFC is part of a new five-year project to designed to create a safer world for children

We’re lucky at Christian Children’s Fund of Canada. We don’t have to stand alone; we stand with an alliance of 11 organizations working in 63 countries to create positive change in the lives of children, families and communities. Together, as part of ChildFund Alliance, our voice echoes across the globe, and we don’t take that for granted.

ChildFund Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Canagasingham to the position of Chief Executive Officer, Christian Children's Fund of Canada. Patrick comes to CCFC from Oxfam International. He previously worked with World Vision. Below is the press release issued by CCFC.

Celebrating the launch of a new alliance for child protection in Geneva today 

GENEVA — Nearly 250-million children — or one in 10 — are affected by armed conflict, and 50 million are affected by disasters, according to UNICEF, so the global community is celebrating today’s launch of a global interagency group focused on child protection in emergency settings.

Patrick Canagasingham, a passionate human-rights advocate, has been championing the needs of vulnerable children and working globally to promote positive change since before he took the helm at Christian Children’s Fund of Canada in April 2017.

With extensive years of senior-level experience at World Vision Canada, Oxfam International and other international development non-profit organizations in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, Patrick has a unique global perspective.

The motivated, strategic-thinker leads a people-focused organization united in a common goal to transform the lives of children, families and communities suffering through poverty and injustice.

Patrick holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Rights from the University of London in the U.K. and a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science from York University in Toronto.

Extreme weather has been threatening communities in Ethiopia as this second drought in as many years dries up farmland, forcing people to abandon their homes in search of food and income.

Even after 70 years of independence, we haven’t been able to send all our children to school. Worse still, there are crores [tens of millions] of child labourers in India, and their number is increasing in sectors such as agriculture, mining and domestic labour. “The root causes of child labour are poverty, illiteracy, lack of quality education and resources, and poor implementation of laws,” says Neelam Makhijani, country director & CEO of ChildFund India—a child development organisation. In an interview with FE’s Vikram Chaudhary, she argues that child labour and poverty go hand in hand, and suggests some reform measures that can, over time, eradicate this social evil. 

A survey of 6,000 10- to 12-year-olds reveals how children view education

By Bonar Bell, communications manager, Canada

MARKHAM, Ont. — Your kids may not like school, but they understand its value, according to a recent global survey of more than 6,000 children. 

A big part of [the sustainable development] agenda is protecting children to ensure they can realize their dreams. It’s a daunting task, so organizations are joining forces like never before. We understand we can’t achieve the 17 [SDGs] in isolation — we need one united voice.