Our name says it all
Our name represents each of the 54 articles in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which lays out the rights all kids and teens in Australia (including you!) are entitled to enjoy. It also explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure children can enjoy these rights. The UNCRC plays a big role in our founding story, and it's a powerful reminder of our commitment to children and young people.
Over 100 years ago, an extraordinary woman named Eglantyne Jebb, started Save the Children. Eglantyne was distressed by the starvation and suffering of children after the First World War, so she went about raising funds to feed them. Later, she drafted the five core principles that went on to form the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Fast forward to today — Save the Children changed the name of its work in Australia to 54 reasons because the kids we work with here said they wanted something that was more relevant to them. No matter where we work or what we call ourselves, we remain inspired by Eglantyne's courage, carrying on her determination and making sure child rights underpin everything we do.
A critical element of improving the lives of children is ensuring that governments enact policies that uphold child rights and reflect the needs of current and future generations. Through our advocacy, we fight to protect and fulfil child rights. We are constantly working towards this goal with coordinated efforts through public and private channels to hold governments to account for effective and systemic policy change.
Across our cities and regions though, there is still room for improvement, and the system doesn’t always create the conditions for children, young people and their families to thrive. These children and young people have the same aspirations as everyone in Australia – to be happy, healthy, cared for, and for everyone to belong. They don’t want to be labelled as marginalised, deprived or at risk when it’s their rights that are at risk:
Raised a need for greater focus on children's mental health, wellbeing, engagement and recovery after extreme disasters such as bushfires and COVID-19.
We elevated the voices of children and ensured that children are at the centre of Australia’s response to critical issues that affect them, especially the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat to their futures posed by the climate crisis.
Called for children's experiences of domestic and family violence to be taken seriously in their own right We deliver our policy and advocacy initiatives jointly with Save the Children Australia in order to drive greater impact for children.
We aspire to live to the highest standards of personal honesty and behaviour; we never compromise our reputation and always act in the best interests of children.
We are open to new ideas, embrace change, and take disciplined risks to develop sustainable solutions for, and with, children.
We respect and value each other, thrive on our diversity, and work with partners to leverage our global strength in making a difference for children.
We are demanding of ourselves and our colleagues, set high goals and are committed to improving the quality of everything we do for children.
We take personal responsibility for using our resources efficiently, achieving measurable results, and being accountable to partners and children
54 reasons acknowledges the Traditional Custodians on whose land we live and work; honouring their continued connection to land, sea, skies and water. We pay our respect to Elders and Ancestors of Country and celebrate their role in passing down sacred cultural, spiritual and educational practices. We also acknowledge the strength and commitment of First Nations practitioners that work alongside children and young people to support and guide leaders of the future.
54 reasons acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land on which we work, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their lore, and to their Elders past, present and emerging.
54 reasons is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of the LGBTIQ+ community.
