Posted by Dana Bennis on Nov 20, 2009 - 05:31 PM
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is one of the most powerful documents affirming the importance of rights for young people, from health and safety to the freedom of expression. The right to education clauses (Articles 27 and 28) not only assure young people the right to an education but also maintain that education ought to be directed to "the development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential," and to "the development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms." The Convention is now celebrating it's 20th Anniversary. Go to UNICEF's CRC page here. And thanks to AERO and the Huffington Post for this article.On the anniversary of twentieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child—the most ratified human rights treaty in human history—the leaders of five major organizations focusing on children make a joint plea to put children’s best interests at the heart of human activity.
By Anne Lynam Goddard President and CEO, ChildFund International, Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General, Save the Children Alliance, Kevin J. Jenkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Vision International, Richard Pichler, Secretary General, SOS Kinderdorf International, and Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director, UNICEF
Twenty years ago this week, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a far-reaching and idealistic treaty that would dramatically alter the way the world looks at children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, developed after years of intricate negotiations, offered a vision of a world in which all children survive and develop, and are protected, respected and encouraged to participate in the decisions that affect them.
Based on four core principles—non-discrimination; the best interest of the child; right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child—the Convention made it not just wise and just, but legally imperative for governments to recognize and uphold children’s rights to such basic things as education, adequate healthcare, shelter and access to safe water and sanitation.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-veneman/five-major-child-advocate_b_365612.html
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