Thirty years ago, something incredible happened, world leaders came together in a moment of rare global unity and made a historic commitment to the world’s children. They made a promise to every child to protect and fulfil their rights, by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), an international law on childhood. Contained in this law is a profound idea: that children are not just little people rather, they are human beings and individuals with their own rights.
Why Does the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Matter?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, and in the 30 years since its adoption, it has helped to transform children’s lives. It has inspired Governments to change laws and policies and undertake investments so that more children finally get the healthcare and nutrition they need to survive and develop; fewer children are forced to leave school, to do hazardous work, or to get married and there are better systems to protect children from violence and exploitation. It has also enabled more children to have a voice and participate in their societies.
UNICEF and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Since 1989, when UNICEF was named in the text of the CRC, upholding the convention and advocating for the fulfilment of child rights has been at the heart of its mandate. For 30 years, we have been a recognized authority on child rights and we are respected for our expertise in translating the principles of child rights into actual results for children. In 2019, we are reaffirming our commitment to our mandate, both internally, and externally. The anniversary offers a chance to further demonstrate UNICEF’s core values and identity as a child rights organization.