INVESTING IN CHILDHOOD
“The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.”
—Article 13, UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child
“Young children give us glimpses of some things that are eternal.”
—Jonathan Kozol, Letters to a Young Teacher
“The child is the best part of the human self.”
—Maurice Sendak
“…to encourage that faculty of imagination in our children, to encourage it to grow freely, to flourish like the green bay tree, by giving it the best, absolutely the best and purest, nourishment that it can absorb. And never, under any circumstances, to squelch it, or sneer at it, or imply that it is childish, or unmanly, or untrue.
—Ursula k. Leguin
"There is something profoundly beautiful about watching young people discover the power of their own voice. This workshop was built from the belief that every child carries stories, emotions, questions, and dreams worth sharing. Over our time together, I watched theseyouth show courage, honesty, creativity, and vulnerability in ways that continually inspired me. Whether through poetry, storytelling, laughter, or quiet reflection, they reminded all of us that art is not about perfection. It is about connection.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers whose patience, kindness, and generosity helped create a safe and encouraging space for these young writers to grow. Your presence mattered more than you know. The care you showed these youth will stay with them long after this workshop ends. A very special thank you goes to the Republic of Childhood and Ottawa International Writers Festival for believing in the importance of youth voices and for continuing to create spaces where literature, creativity, and community can thrive together. Their support of emerging voices is a gift to this city. I also want to recognize Christie Lake Kids for the incredible work they do empowering children and families through compassion, mentorship, and opportunity. Their dedication to uplifting youth is deeply meaningful, and it was an honour to work alongside an organization that cares so genuinely about the next generation.
Most importantly, thank you to the youth themselves. Thank you for your bravery, your imagination, your humour, your openness, and your trust. You brought life into every room you entered. I hope this workshop reminded you that your voice matters, your stories matter, and that the world is always better when you choose to speak from the heart."
Khaleefa Hamdan, Apollo the Child
Republic of Childhood, “Step Into Stories” CLK workshop director
A BRIEF HISTORY
The Republic of Childhood (RofC) was established on November 20th, 2017, the anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to centre the voices and experiences of children and youth. It is a direct response to teachers, parents, librarians and, of course, kids themselves to be front and centre in the delivery of books, stories and the writing life.
For almost 10 years the RofC in partnership with school boards, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) and other community groups has:
• delivered intensive writing workshops where young people are free to explore language and discover the power of their own voices;
• developed a writers-in-schools program that has hosted national and internationally acclaimed children’s and young adult authors, illustrators and change makers to engage with young learners;
• curated with Carleton University’s Childhood and Youth Studies a three day Childhood and Youth Forum in November 2019 bringing together young learners and internationally acclaimed educators from Canada, Germany and the United States;
• in the fall of 2025, and continuing into the Winter and Spring of 2026 designed and delivered an eight-month pilot project of spoken word/poetry in collaboration with Christie Lake Kids (CLK) for ages between 6 and 18 from low-income households with 71 participants;
• on June 26, 2026 on the grounds of Government House with Her Excellency Louise Arbour the Governor General of Canada, United for Literacy, and over 100 children partnered in a celebration of the power of story to entertain and enlighten called Storytime.
BUILDING THE FUTURE
“The child is the best part of the human self.”
—Maurice Sendak
Everything begins with children and we begin by asking:
- How can we collaborate with kids dealing with the overwhelming challenges of climate change, war, inequality, loneliness, racism, technology, cultural fragmentation and other struggles that are severely impacting their mental and emotional health?
- How much of young people’s struggles can be linked to cultural and systemic barriers that limit their capacity to participate meaningfully in many theatres of their lives including school, home, the public/political sphere, and the community?
- Does childhood have intrinsic value and are children rights bearing human beings with voices, cultures, identities, and perspectives worthy of respect?
- Does access to books, storytelling, the arts, and intergenerational conversation affect literacy, empathy, and civic participation?
- Ask children what future they want and, what kind of world are children asking us to build with them?
UPCOMING EVENTS
From August 6-9, 2026 the Ottawa International Writers festival and the Republic of Childhood will be a delegate and presenter as IBBY Canada hosts the 40th IBBY World Congress. We look forward to joining the world of children’s books and over 350 national and international IBBY friends and colleagues visiting Ottawa, Canada’s national capital, for four days of connection, culture, celebration—and exploration of the Congress theme of “Listening to Each Other’s Voices.”
Beginning in the fall of 2026; collaborating with Carleton University in a series of speculative fiction writing workshops imagining alternatives to current narratives of climate change and social justice issues identified by children and youth.
Beginning in the fall of 2026; expand our intensive after school writing workshops with Christie Lake kids by adding illustration and drama workshops.
Beginning in the school year of 2026-27; with the OCDSB and other community partners launch a stand alone literary festival for children and young adults. This pilot project will create opportunities to bring students together in a high-energy, communal setting centring reading as a shared cultural experience rather than a solitary activity and introduce authors as real, relatable people rather than distant names on a syllabus. In this ‘festival’ atmosphere students will interview authors and host events. Students will also write book reviews from current catalogues of Canadian and international publishers.
About Oneness-World
Oneness-World Communications is a charitable corporation (Charitable # 86830 7778 RR0001) whose mission is “to promote an appreciation of the cultural arts in Canada through public events; to create and manage public events that promote literacy and the cultural arts; and to provide related services. The most visible manifestation of this mission is the Ottawa International Writers Festival, Spring and Fall Editions.”