Preambule
International Network
Preambule
1 The signatories of the World Appeal to a New Mobilization for Childhood - non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, youth organizations, social institutions, religious organizations and authorities, engaged personalities - share their commitment to promote the dignity and the rights of all children [1], in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child [2].
Some of them have been directly involved in the drafting of the Convention adopted by the UN General Assembly, twenty years ago, on 20 November 1989. Among them, the International Catholic Child Bureau (Bice) has taken the initiative of this Appeal. In 2007, Bice set up expert groups in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe-CIS [3] and, in 2008, gathered an International Committee to prepare this document [4].
2 According to them, there is a pre and a post-Convention [5]. The Convention has generated "a new vision of the child... children considered fully as human beings, become right-holders and not just objects of rights." Today, because of his/her existence, each child, as any human being, inalienably holds human rights and fundamental freedoms, without discrimination or distinction of any kind.
3 However, reality continues showing us millions of children deprived of their rights. Too often, we consider them as objects of assistance or as beneficiaries of certain rights that they receive as charity.
This is the reason why we call for a new mobilization for his/her rights and dignity.
[1] In accordance with Article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, for the purposes of the present document, a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.
[2] The Convention on the Rights of the Child, hereafter the Convention, has been adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989. The Committee on the Rights of the Child established by virtue of Article 43 monitors its follow-up (cf. note 71).
[3] On Bice 60th anniversary, the conclusions of the expert groups have been presented as Position Papers in Paris on 4 June 2008.
[4] In the annex, you will find the list of the members of the International Committee gathered by Bice.
[5] In relation to this expression and the developments that follow, see: Introduction to the Position Papers by Jordi Cots (Bice 2008). Mr. Cots, a child rights specialist, has been the first child rights ombudsman in Spain in his capacity as assistant for the questions related to childhood to the Catalonia Ombudsman (1997- 2004).
