Dozens of youth gathered in Ottawa on Monday to mark National Child Day and to develop Canada鈥檚 first 鈥淐hildren鈥檚 Charter,鈥� which will be unveiled in Parliament on Wednesday.

Sara Austin, who runs the advocacy group Children First Canada, says the charter is needed to draw attention to the fact that children鈥檚 rights are not being adequately protected.

鈥淢illions of kids in our country are growing up in poverty, experiencing abuse and neglect, and facing serious threats to their health,鈥� Austin said in a written statement.

鈥淲e need to have a common vision for what every kid in our country deserves, and a plan of action to achieve it,鈥� she added.

Delegate Callum Lovelace, a 14-year-old from Hammonds Plains, N.S., said that issues like cyber-bullying, racial discrimination and mental health are on the agenda.

Children First Canada鈥檚 2016 report identified a number of problems, including mental health, child abuse, inadequate day care and a lack of after-school programs.

Indigenous children are particularly disadvantaged in Canada, with 40 per cent living in poverty compared to 20 per cent overall, according to the report.

Canada also ranks lower than expected on child well-being among 29 rich countries studied by UNICEF. While Canada was the fifth richest country per capita,

That ranking puts it behind poorer countries, including Slovenia, Portugal and Czech Republic. The Netherlands, Norway and Iceland came out on top, with Germany in sixth place.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday recognizing National Child Day and the Ottawa summit where the Children鈥檚 Charter is being developed.

鈥淭he toughest issues of our time 鈥� fighting climate change, making gender equality a reality, building a fairer, more inclusive world 鈥� have no easy solutions,鈥� his statement reads.

鈥淭hese challenges demand a global response, shaped across borders, involving every generation,鈥� he added. 鈥淯ltimately, success depends on our youngest leaders and their ability to lead 鈥� which starts with a safe and happy childhood.鈥�

Trudeau says that the Government of Canada is fighting child poverty with the Canada Child Benefit, making investments in child care and spending money to improve mental health services and access to post-secondary education.

鈥淪ophie and I invite all Canadians to join us in celebrating National Child Day,鈥� he said, according to the statement. 鈥淭ogether, we must make sure children everywhere get the love, safety, and support they need to live a full childhood and pursue their dreams.鈥�