“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
- Isaiah 2:4
In the Spring of 2002, 400 children and over 1,500 of adults gathered at the United Nations for the Special Session on Children. Their goal was to renew the world’s commitment to creating a world fit for children. In 1990, there had been a World Summit for Children in which the Convention on the Rights of the Child was embraced.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child spells out the basic human rights that children (all human beings below the age of 18) everywhere - without discrimination - have:
- The right to survival;
- The right to develop to the fullest;
- The right to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation;
- The right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.
Many governments have enacted legislation, created mechanisms and put into place a range of creative measures to ensure the protection and realization of the rights of those under the age of 18. Each government must also report back on children's rights in their country. Every state member of the United Nations has ratified this document except the United States.
On the last day of the Session, a document “A World Fit for Children” was officially adopted. It contains a Declaration and a Plan for Action, both of which will guide leaders in their work with and relating to children in the coming decade. The Declaration focuses on the 10 imperative principles of the “Say Yes! Campaign,” while the Plan of Action addresses health, education, child protection and HIV/AIDS, and includes ways for mobilization and monitoring the progress in each country.
What do you think is the most important right for children? Make a list of what rights you think children should have. Talk about it with your family. You can also “Say Yes” to the Global Movement for Children. To make your vote known go to The Global Movement For Children.
“The world is held in the olive branches of peace.”
