Convention on the Rights of the Child

Starting today, the World Forum Foundation is launching its campaign to promote ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by the United States.  Pam Boulton, who is leading this campaign for the World Forum, observes on the CRC section of the World Forum website:

"It is time to advocate for the U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child!

"I attended the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2009. Like the rest of the 650 delegates from 76 nations, I spent nearly four days surrounded by people from all over our planet who shared my passion for children and families.  The topic of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was addressed frequently and passionately by a number of speakers including Sasa Milic, Montenegro; Youssef Hajjar, UK and Syria; Agnes Akosua Aidoo, Ghana; and a member of the UN Committee on the CRC.  As a citizen of the United States, I found myself deeply disturbed by the fact that the U.S. is one of only two countries in the UN that has not ratified this important treaty while 193 countries have been willing to make this commitment to their children.  Somalia is the other country that has not ratified, but on November 20, 2009 they announced that they will be doing so soon.

"I believe that ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important part of being a global citizen.  It is time to ask — intentionally and insistently — that our legislators ratify this convention and that we take our place among those who agree to promote and protect children's best interests."

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