2007 ACEI Resolutions

These resolutions were presented and accepted by ACEI members at the Annual Business Meeting on May 3, 2007.

Resolution on Advocacy

Whereas ACEI is an international organization; and

Whereas ACEI is committed to the education, inherent rights, and well-being of all children in the home, school, and community; and

Whereas ACEI is diligent in pursuing its cause for equal rights and treatment for all children; and

Whereas ACEI is dedicated to the purpose and significance of child advocacy; and

Whereas ACEI acknowledges, supports, and values advocacy tools;

Therefore, be it resolved:

that ACEI will remain dedicated to child advocacy worldwide;

reaffirm the commitment to universal ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;

strive to recruit, educate, and empower new child advocate allies and members; maintain an informed membership through the use of conferences, meetings, partnerships, and publications;

share relevant information with associates, colleagues, and interested parties;

build ongoing and continuous advocacy support;

increase public awareness of the necessity of child advocacy;

expand advocacy participation at the local, national, and international levels;

and value the efforts and achievements of advocacy.

Resolution for Childhood Participation

Whereas ACEI is an international organization; and

Whereas ACEI is a non-governmental organization (NGO) with consultative status to the United Nations (UN), UNESCO, and UNICEF; and

Whereas ACEI is committed to promote and support the optimal education and development of young children from birth through adolescence worldwide; and

Whereas ACEI promotes not only the educational rights of children but also their inherent rights and well-being; and

Whereas ACEI continues to advocate for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and promote U.S. ratification of the treatise; and

Whereas the Convention on the Rights of the Child specifically indicates children's right to participate in decisions that affect their well-being; and

Whereas research indicates that active participation on the part of children affects the social, emotional, cognitive, and creative aspects of their development, resulting in children more prepared to effectively engage in the global social order (Tye & Tye, 1991); and

Whereas literature on the power of child participation illustrates that when children are presented with and co-create opportunities to effect change as part of their educational sequence, competencies required for global citizenry emerge (Billig, 2000; Furco, 2001; Scales, Blyth, Berkas, & Kielsmeir, 2000); and

Whereas in addition to gains in academic achievement, children who participate display more acceptance of cultural diversity, become aware of community needs, and develop an ethic of volunteer service (Melchoir, 1999); and

Whereas through active participation, children are more likely to develop a sophisticated understanding of societal trends, reflect on politics, and feel empowered to make a difference in their world (Youniss, McClellan, & Yates, 1997); and

Whereas providing opportunities for active participation can equip children with the skill, knowledge, and dispositions to succeed in our increasingly complex and interconnected world landscape; and

Whereas ACEI is committed to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society;

Therefore, be it resolved that in accordance with ACEI's 2005 Resolution to Advocate for UNICEF's Strategic Plan for the World's Children and Youth:
ACEI and its membership will invite children's worldwide participation in promoting attention to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its two Optional Protocols, which protect children from involvement in (a) armed conflict and (b) trafficking, prostitution and pornography;

ACEI and its membership will invite children's participation in national advocacy efforts calling for the United States ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child;

ACEI and its membership will invite children's worldwide participation in promoting the UN Millennium Development Goals;

ACEI and its membership will invite children's worldwide participation in promoting UNICEF's Medium-Term Strategic Plan in five priority areas: 1. Universal primary education for boys and girls 2. Integrated early childhood education 3. Immunization "plus" 4. Reduction of HIV/AIDS 5. Child protection;

ACEI will encourage educators to invite the children they teach to speak up for the children of the world who have no voice;

ACEI will advocate for the importance of children's voices, and the imperative of their participation as critical to their healthy development, and future leadership potential;

ACEI, through its conferences, publications, and position statements, will provide an ongoing forum through which the voices of children can be collectively shared.

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