The Campaign for US Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Weekly Action Alert September 1, 2010 View past alerts View the UNICEF Photo Essay - The Rights of Children: www.OMEP-USA.org.

Statement from Pamla Boulton, Ed.D.

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.

At the closing session of the World Forum, Bonnie Neugebauer challenged us to make time for advocacy by stopping each day at 1:01 to take one minute for action. I have spent many of my minutes researching the CRC. Now, I am asking the World Forum community to join me in advocating for the U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We need to be like dripping water - with the strength to move mountains and the persistence to become mighty rivers. Those of us in the United States can contact our Senators. Those outside the U.S. can support our efforts through all their already ongoing efforts and through diplomatic channels when possible.

This is an opportunity to join with many other organizations and individuals in striving to make a positive difference in the lives of children around the planet - and that is what the World Forum Foundation has been about since its inception.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead.