One of the few things everyone can generally agree on is that children are precious and their lives rely on adults actively working to keep them safe and nurtured. This is why on September 2, 1990 the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was put into effect. It is a universally accepted set of principles to guide countries on how to protect the youngest members of society and give them all the tools they need to grow up into productive, thriving adults.
These principles include a right to an education that allows them to reach their full potential. This includes primary and secondary schooling as well as university and vocational education. They are also entitled to a healthy diet and a place to live. This is important because children who have poor health are less likely to finish school and have fewer opportunities for employment in their adult years.
The CRC also states that children have the right to be protected from war and other violence. They should be protected by the state and not forced to fight in wars or take part in any other violent activity. They are also guaranteed the right to live with their parents unless this is against their best interests. If this is not possible then they are guaranteed to be looked after properly by people who respect their religion, culture and language. Children are also guaranteed a basic standard of living and a right to healthcare.
Lastly, the CRC states that all children are equal and must be treated equally, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion or nationality. They are also guaranteed the right to express their views freely and have these taken into account in decisions that affect them. They are also guaranteed the right to privacy in terms of their family, home and correspondence. This means that no one can interfere with their private life and that any interference is unlawful.
In addition to these rights, the CRC also states that children should be protected from any type of abuse or neglect. They should also be guaranteed the right to access cultural activities and art that are not designed to traumatize, provoke or disturb them. They are also guaranteed the right to a fair trial if they are accused of breaking any law.
Children are the future of our world and it is important to ensure that they are provided with everything they need to be successful. They are the ones who will be taking care of us when we get older, so it is our duty to make sure they can do that. Children are a wonderful source of joy and bring a fresh aptitude for imagination, creation, and positivity to our lives. They teach us many lessons about how to deal with difficult situations and they show us that life is not as complicated as we think it sometimes is.