Summit for the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Mobilizing Communities for Ratification

In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a comprehensive international children's rights treaty that addresses children's civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. The CRC sets goals and standards that promote children's rights, thereby strengthening governmental initiatives to serve children and families. The treaty recognizes the role and authority of families and the importance of governmental policies that ensure children's optimal development in their families and communities. The CRC is organized around several guiding principles: the best interests of the child, protection against discrimination, the child's right to survival and development, and the right to have a voice and freedom of expression. To date, 192 countries have ratified the CRC, making it one of the most widely ratified and celebrated international treaties. All the countries in the world have ratified the CRC except two-Somalia (due to the absence of a formal government) and the United States.

A group of concerned American child advocates joined together to form the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the CRC, and organized the "Summit for the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Mobilizing Communities for Ratification," held at American University in Washington, D.C., in May 2006. ACEI was represented at the Summit, and participated in the drafting of the Declaration, which led to the ongoing and continuously evolving Plan of Action created by the Summit attendees. The Summit's lectures, workshops, and dialogue sessions were attended by over 320 adults and youth. Emphasizing the legal dimensions of the CRC, the Summit was particularly illuminating for educators. Michael Greco, the President of the American Bar Association, presented the opening keynote speech, "A Time for Ratification." He spoke eloquently about the urgency of U.S. ratification, and how the United States could and should take a leadership role to protect children's rights in the world. The 400,000 members of the American Bar Association support U.S. ratification, and stand ready to strategize and take action with educators and all concerned citizens. Children's rights issues, such as child soldiers, human trafficking, AIDS orphans, child labor, and immigration, were reviewed. He stated that the CRC expands legal rights for children, and does not threaten parental authority or national sovereignty, as is erroneously often believed in the United States. Greco said that a "chorus of voices," including lawyers, educators, youth, and others, can achieve U.S. ratification of the CRC.

Several speakers and workshop leaders contributed to the energized and inspirational message at the Summit. It is not enough to be passionate about U.S. ratification of the CRC; it is essential to be informed and educated about children's rights and the connection between U.S. law and the CRC. The Summit included participation by two other lawyers- Jonathan Todres and Howard Davidson, both affiliated with the American Bar Association and experts in international and domestic children's law. They delineated the compatibility between U.S. law and the CRC in the areas of freedom of expression (similar to the U.S. Bill of Rights), the best interests of the child, child labor, trafficking, and child protection. They also cited some of the contentious issues in the CRC, such as abortion, corporal punishment, and juvenile justice, but reminded us that although these issues warrant serious consideration, they do not rise to a level that would prevent U.S. ratification. The core beliefs and values represented in the CRC are consistent with the beliefs of Americans and the U.S. laws.

Additional Summit speakers included Gillian Sorenson, from the UN Foundation; Senator Landon Pearson; Simone Ek, from Save the Children Sweden; Bill Purcell, the Mayor of Nashville; and a range of representatives from NGOs and youth organizations. The Summit concluded with a brainstorming session during which participants shared how they would educate their communities and "get the word out" about the CRC. Many interesting ideas were shared. ACEI, as a leading professional organization that advocates for the rights of all children, can play a pivotal role in moving forward the CRC ratification agenda. ACEI UN Representatives Lynn Staley, Eva Zygmunt-Fillwalk, and I urge all members to support this important work. Resources are available on the ACEI Web site (www.acei.org), and at www.unicef.org/crc/, www.childrightscampaign.org, and www.crin.org. Also, recommended reading is the informative book The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: An Analysis of Treaty Provisions and Implication of U.S. Ratification, by Todres, Wojcik, and Revaz, Transnational Publishers, Inc., 2006.

The Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the CRC really includes all of us. Through education and advocacy, ACEI members can help to create an informed public and the corresponding political will so that in 2009, when there is a new administration in Washington, the U.S. Senate will approve ratification of the CRC. When that task is achieved, another task will begin. We will then work to ensure that CRC implementation results in sustainable benefits for all children, youth, and their families in the United States and throughout the world.

--Nancy Brown, ACEI Representative to the UN

Declaration of the CRC Summit Washington, DC - American University May 18 - May 20, 2006

We believe that children and youth are our most important resource in an increasingly interconnected global community. Together we affirm our support for the U.S. ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), joining with 192 countries that have ratified the CRC. As an international framework for children and youth, the CRC protects and respects children, youth, parents, and their families. Children are individuals with inherent rights and play an important role in society. U.S. ratification of the CRC will help protect the well-being and safety of children and youth. Based on its history and tradition of human rights and responsibilities, the United States must demonstrate its dedication to provide all children and youth with a better today and a better tomorrow. We declare that a bipartisan commitment to ratify the CRC will provide current and future generations with opportunities and the support vital to meet the challenges of the 21st century.