The Convention on the Rights of the Child: Progress and Challenges

Rebecca Rios-Kohn

Senior Program Officer for the Child's Rights Division of Education, Policy and Planning at UNICEF

In 1989, the UN adopted a new way of thinking about the rights and role of children with the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The universal acceptance of the treaty has helped make it a catalyst for raising the status of children worldwide. The soul of the Convention, found in Articles 2, 3, 6, and 12, is a recognition of four concepts indispensable to that goal: the right to participate, the protection of the best interest of the child, the rejection of discrimination, and the right to life.

A greater tribute to the popularity of the Convention than the principles put forth, however, is the impact it has had. The text and principles of the Convention have guided international policy at International conferences, such as 1990 World Summit for Children, have shaped UNICEF's policies and programs, and have been included in international legal documents.

At least as significant, however, is the impact the Convention has had on the national level through the operation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee evaluates the status of children and makes remedial recommendations on a country-by-country basis. The Committee's report is enormous in raising awareness and affecting the monitoring of children?s rights, but challenges remain. Concerns relating to the cooperation of nations and the resources allocated to promote children?s rights stress the importance of strengthening the role of the Committee in national and international policy-making.

Vol. V, No. 2, p.139 (1998)

Revised July 17, 2003 (MD)