For Children's Rights Day on November 20th
Terre des Hommes calls for greater commitment to children in emergency and crisis situations.
On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. To this day, it remains the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world; 195 of the 196 UN member states have ratified it. Nevertheless, World Children's Day is no cause for celebration, as children's well-being is at risk in many countries. "We are therefore issuing a 'red alert' for children's rights," explains Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the board of Terre des Hommes . "The causes are man-made. So we must and can take action now."
The data shows how serious the situation for children worldwide is:
- Around 520 million children grow up in a war or crisis environment; that's one in five children worldwide. In 1990, only one in ten children was affected.
- 138 million children worldwide have to work, 54 million of them under exploitative conditions. 85 million children do not go to school.
- 122 million people are refugees, including 48 million children.
- Every year, nearly two million children die before their fifth birthday due to environmental damage such as polluted water or contaminated air.
“The figures show: It’s a red alert for children’s rights! A globally ratified convention alone is not enough as long as millions of children lack access to food and education, are exploited, and are traumatized by horrific experiences. Given this dramatic situation for children worldwide, we need a renewed, sincere commitment to children’s rights from all states,” said Hofert. “Children must be given priority and must see their living conditions improving.”
That this is achievable is demonstrated, for example, by vaccination programs and improved healthcare systems, which have reduced child mortality by more than half since 2000. The German government is now also called upon to take action. However, it is currently drastically cutting funding for development cooperation and has halved the budget for humanitarian aid compared to 2024. "Children's Rights Day is a good opportunity to place children and their rights at the top of the political agenda. We welcome the announcement by Development Minister Alabali Radovan to focus on children and young people. But now words must be followed by action. No child should be left behind in times of crisis and hardship," Hofert appeals.
Appeal from children's and youth associations for a socially just climate protection program:
"International Children's Rights Day: Climate protection is our right and your duty!"