This is the basic premise of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international human rights treaty that is transforming the lives of children and their families around the globe.

People in every country and of every culture and every religion are working to ensure that each of the two billion children in the world enjoys the rights to survival, health and education; to a caring family environment, play and culture; to protection from exploitation and abuse of all kinds; and to have his or her voice heard and opinions taken into account on significant issues.

Principles of the Convention

The Convention has four general principles. The first two apply to all people and the Convention reaffirms them for children. The last two are of particular concern to children.

• Children must not suffer discrimination "irrespective of the child's or his or her parents' or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status".
• Children have a right to survival and development in all aspects of their lives, including the physical, emotional, psycho-social, cognitive, social and cultural.
• The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all decisions or actions that affect the child or children as a group. This holds true whether decisions are made by governmental, administrative or judicial authorities, or by families themselves.
• Children must be allowed to be active participants in all matters affecting their lives and be free to express their opinions. They have the right to have their views heard and taken seriously.

Children's Rights to Basic Health and Welfare

Every child has the right to:

• Survival and development;
• An adequate standard of living;
• The highest attainable standard of health, and effective health services;
• Special care, if he or she is disabled, that ensures dignity, promotes self-reliance and facilitates active participation in the community; and
• Social security and childcare services and facilities.

The Rights of Children and their Families

Every child has the right to:

• Live with his or her parents or to maintain contact if separated from either one;
• Cross national borders to be reunified with his or her parents;
• Receive alternative care when a family environment cannot be maintained;
• A safe adoption system;
• Protection from kidnapping;
• Protection from abuse and neglect by parents or care givers; and
• Regular review of any placements that might be necessary for care, protection or treatment.

The Convention requires that governments will ensure the rights of parents and families to:

• Provide guidance to their child;
• Receive assistance in child-rearing;
• Have responsibilities shared equally by both parents;
• Receive material assistance and support programmes especially with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing; and
• Cross national borders to be reunified with their children.

Children's Rights to Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

Every child has the right to:

• Free primary education;
• Access to secondary education and vocational training;
• An education that develops his or her personality, talents, and mental and physical abilities to their fullest;
• An education that prepares him or her for an active adult life in a free society;
• An education that fosters respect for his or her own family, cultural identity, and language; for his or her country; and for the natural environment;
• An education in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance and equality;
• Leisure, play and the opportunity to participate in cultural and artistic activities; and
• The opportunity to enjoy his ir her culture, profess and practice his or her religion, use his or her language.

Children's Rights to Special Protection

Every child has the right to special protection:

• In emergency situations such as armed conflict, or when children are separated from family or home;
• When he or she is in conflict with the law;
• In situations of exploitations such as child labour, drug abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, sale, trafficking and abduction; and
• From discrimination of any kind.

The Civil Rights and Freedoms of Children

Every child has the right to:

• A name and nationality;
• Protection from being deprived of his or her identity;
• Freedom of expression;
• Freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
• Freedom of association and peaceful assembly;
• Information from a diversity of sources;
• Privacy;
• Protection from torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and
• Protection against unlawful arrest and unjustified deprivation of liberty.

For the full text of the convention refer to: http://www.unicef.org/crc/crc.htm