Take Action -
Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

CEASE TAKES AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE CAMPAIGN
TO RATIFY THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

by John Surr

           One theme of our events at the 2009 NAEYC Conference was the need for the United States Senate to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, for “Children’s Rights Convention”). The US is the only national government that has yet to decide to take part in the CRC.  CEASE has been working for many years to get the US Government to join the rest of the world in participating in the CRC.  In 2003 we convinced the NAEYC Governing Board to declare NAEYC in favor of ratification, and we are participating actively in the national Campaign to Ratify the Children’s Rights Convention, www.childrightscampaign.org   On November 20, 2009, the CRC was 20 years old! CEASE members presented a seminar and poster session on US participation in the CRC, and CEASE participated actively in NAEYC's celebration of the CRC's 20th anniversary.

           CEASE takes an active role in the national Campaign to Ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (“CRC Campaign”), and is represented on its national steering committee.  The Campaign involves many of the more than 200 national organizations concerned with human rights, children, and the rule of law, all working together actively to promote ratification.   The 20-year struggle for ratification has been very controversial, with many isolationist organizations making very emotional and inaccurate criticisms of the Convention.  But common sense finally seems to be prevailing, and we hope to get the CRC before Congress and pass with 67 votes in the Senate as soon as national politics allows.  We need your help in this effort, to educate yourself and your friends, colleagues, and Senators about the CRC. Two actions you can take right away are to watch this video and sign this petition.

           The Campaign is working to have President Obama submit the CRC to the Senate with his ratification recommendation by the 23rd anniversary of the UN's  approval of it on November 20, 2012 (Universal Children's Day 2012).  The US South Sudan, and Somalia are the only countries in the world outside the CRC, and 193 other countries have found it helpful for more than 20 years.  With US ratification, the CRC would be an effectively universal set of standards for the treatment of children everywhere.  The US is hurt in its foreign policy by its inaction on the CRC, and the President and members of his Cabinet have expressed support for ratification.  

           We need your help now.  The CRC Campaign has started a petition to convince President Obama that he should send the CRC ratification recommendation to the Senate this year.  Please sign that petition at http://www.childrightscampaign.org today, and please "like" Child Rights Campaign on Facebook.  Thank you

“This global partnership will be guided in its work by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, that luminous living document that enshrines the rights of every child without exception to a life of dignity and self-fulfillment.”

Nelson Mandela,
Building a Global Partnership for Children
Johannesburg – May 6, 2000

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