The world is facing many crises, from conflict and natural disaster to disease outbreaks and climate change. Children are especially vulnerable and must be at the centre of efforts to protect and support them. Children need a safe environment, quality education, nutritious food and medical treatment. And they need to be able to express their opinions and be involved in decisions that affect them. This is why in 1989, governments around the world agreed on a set of children rights to help achieve these goals.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) sets out all these rights in detail. It defines who children are and what their needs are, and it explains how countries can guarantee them. The CRC also calls on adults to respect and promote children’s rights.

Every child has the right to life. This means that a country must ensure that all children survive and are healthy and well cared for. It also says that the government must take extra action to protect children in danger, e.g., by making sure that they are rescued quickly and treated properly.

Children have the right to be registered at birth and to receive official documentation that proves who they are. This includes the right to know their family history and nationality. If this information gets lost or destroyed, the government must help them get it back.

Parents are usually responsible for looking after their children. But if they cannot, children have the right to be looked after by people who will respect their religion, culture, language and customs. They should try to keep children with their parents if that is best for them, and they should give them the chance to see their parents regularly.

All children have the right to freedom of expression, which means they can decide what they think and believe, as long as this does not harm others. They also have the right to choose their own activities, and to develop themselves in ways that suit their personalities, talents, skills, interests, social-political beliefs and religious and spiritual beliefs, as long as these do not harm others.

They should be protected from all kinds of exploitation (being taken advantage of). Governments must protect children from being kidnapped, sold or sent abroad for any reason and from other forms of exploitation such as forced labour, domestic servitude and slavery. If they break the law, children must not be killed or tortured or kept in prison forever. Prison should be the last resort, and children in prison must have access to legal help and contact with their families.

The government must respect and support children’s right to a quality education. This includes the right to a free education, which must include all subjects and should be of a high standard. It should also allow children to express themselves, and develop their personalities, interests, cultural and linguistic skills. It must also teach them about their rights and responsibilities and how to live peacefully with others.