ISSUES & FORUMS

Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood:

First local chapter of a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of marketing to children. We support the rights of children to grown up - and the rights of parents to raise them--without being undermined by rampant consumerism. Our mission is to counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through action, advocacy, research and collaboration among organizations and individuals who care about children. Our vision is that the children of the Quad-Cities area will be free from the harmful effects of marketing.

This is a great resource!

Just in time for the holidays...
For those of you who are not familiar with this campaign, our local chapter has been initiated and facilitated by Joyce Wiley and Kathy Bowman. These ladies are wearing so many hats... if anyone is interested in taking on a leadership role in this forum in order to continue this important work within our own community, PACG, is eager to support your initiative.

We Want Happy and Safe Holidays for Everyone!
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood's organizational member, Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment (TRUCE) has released its annual "Toy Action Guide." You can download it here.

The Toy Action Guide is an invaluable resource - particularly at this time of year - for parents, teachers, or anyone concerned about the commercialization of children's play. It contains information on how to select toys that promote positive play and reduce the influence of harmful toys on children. There is a list of TRUCE's 2006-2007 recommendations for "Toys for Healthy & Creative Play." You will also find a list of "Toys and Toy Trends to Avoid," such as toys that lure babies and toddlers to screens and toys that make appearance, makeup, and sexiness the focus of play. In addition, TRUCE offers suggestions for "Shoe Box Gifts," an alternative gift idea that promotes play around themes with common objects often found around the house. Download your free copy of the TRUCE Toy Action Guide today!

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is proud to announce that this year's winner of the Fred Rogers Integrity Award is Raffi Cavoukian, the beloved children's troubadour. The award, named in honor of the host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, will be given each year by CCFC to the public figure whose efforts to protect children from harmful marketing best embody Mr. Rogers' long-standing commitment to nurturing the health and well-being of America's children. In over three decades of entertaining children, Raffi has steadfastly refused all commercial endorsement offers, and his company has never directly advertised or marketed to children. He is a passionate advocate for a child's right to live free of commercial exploitation.

CCFC's 2006 Consuming Kids summit promises to be our best ever. Since 2001 we have been bringing together distinguished scholars, activists, parents, and educators to talk about how marketing undermines children's health and well-being and what we can do about it. This year's summit features a special focus on marketing in schools. Once again, CCFC's summit will be moderated by Alvin F. Poussaint, MD and feature an all-star lineup of speakers. Confirmed summit presenters include Enola Aird, Michael Brody, Brita Butler-Wall, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Richard Daynard, Lisa Fager, Roberta Friedman, Jon Hanson, Allen Kanner, Joe Kelly, Jean Kilbourne, Velma LaPoint, Diane Levin, Susan Linn, Alex Molnar, Sharna Olfman, Juliet Schor, and Rob Williams.