Network:

• advocates for and respects the rights of children and is committed to play and creativity.
• believes in contributing to building and strengthening responsive and inclusive communities that are child and family friendly.
• is committed to social justice, reconciliation and diversity and works in a way that draws on the shared knowledge and experiences of many to promote the needs of school-aged children.
• resources, informs, empowers and lobbies organisations and communities at local, state and national level to be responsive to issues affecting school-aged children in out of school hours.
• is a membership organisation that represents community-based organisations that provide services and support for children and families out of school hours.

Network Objectives

• To promote and provide assistance with the establishment, resourcing and
  development of “Not for profit” community based activity groups in NSW, in
  particular out of school services, which extend play, creative and community
  engagement opportunities for children in their leisure time.
• To represent the interests of Out of School Hours Services for children 5-14 years
  within New South Wales and at a National level.
• To collaborate with local communities and other agencies to address the varying needs and issues of school-age children and their families, including children with a disability, children of different cultural, social, linguistic and economic backgrounds and those in isolated communities and, when ever possible, relieve disadvantage within a framework of social justice and reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• To promote the provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the
  Child, in particular Article 12 (The child’s right to express their opinion.) and Article 31 (The child’s right to play and leisure opportunities).
  
• To encourage and participate in the establishment of a range of community
  education, training and other learning experiences for individuals and organisations that will enrich the lives of children within their own communities.
• To take all necessary steps to secure funding and other resources that are required
  to implement the objects of Network

Article 12 States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

Article 31 States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.