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Global Action for Children joins with children’s rights activists and leaders around the world today to commemorate Universal Children’s Day and the 20th anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
”The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child lays out the critical political, cultural and legal rights for our world’s children, helping to guide governments and communities to respect and protect their children,” said Global Action for Children Executive Director Kathleen Guy. “It’s time for the United States to join the global community and ratify the CRC to signify we believe in a world where every child has the human right to grow up safe and healthy.”
First adopted in 1989, the CRC has since been ratified by 193 nations, including every United Nations member state except for the United States and Somalia. It is based on the principles of non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the view of the child.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ratification of the CRC, UNICEF released a special edition yesterday of its annual State of the World’s Children report, Celebrating 20 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“UNICEF’s report illustrates the impact of the CRC on countries around the world to improve the lives of children,” Guy remarked. “But we must remember there is still a long way to go until all kids have access to the services, care, protection and participation that the CRC guarantees. To succeed, we’ll need to bridge and mobilize organizations, governments and people across the country who care, and GAC will be there to provide our support. Now is the time.”
For more information on the State of the World’s Children Report and the CRC, visit www.unicef.org.