gives them additional rights to protect them from harm. The Convention's 54 articles cover everything from a child's right to be free from exploitation, to the right to his or her own opinion and the right to education, health care, and economic opportunity.
A key objective of Universal Children's Day is to increase awareness of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since its adoption by the United Nations, the Convention has been signed or ratified by more countries than any other international treaty. Over the past decade, the Convention has proven to be a valuable tool for promoting the rights of children everywhere around the world.”1
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A Philippine boy collects plastic cups to sell in the garbage dump where he lives.
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Children are most vulnerable to the effects of absolute poverty, such as hunger and illness. |
Nevertheless, there are still:
- 250 million child labourers in the world
- millions of children who die every year from diseases preventable with basic health care
- 121 million children between the ages of six and eleven who don’t have access to an education
- millions of children who grow up with little economic hope, their parents earning less than $2 per day
These conditions violate the rights of children, and action must be taken by youth, community groups and governments alike. |
You can help protect children’s rights through the Adopt a Village: campaign! By participating in the Adopt a Village campaign, you can raise awareness and funds to implement school building, alternative income programs and water and sanitation programs to some of the most marginalized communities in the world. YOU can help ensure your peers’ right to education, economic opportunity and clean water and basic sanitation.
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| Taking Action! for Universal Children’s Day |
Education is the solution to breaking the cycle of poverty. |
- Read the Convention on the Rights of the Child and discuss the issue of children’s rights with your friends.
- Research the topic of children’s rights at your local library or on the internet. Check out the links below to get started.
- Raise awareness of the issue of children’s rights in your school, place of worship or community group.
- Hold a fundraiser to help give children the opportunity of a healthy childhood, an education and the hope for a brighter future.
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