Convention on the Rights of the Child
For every child, every right
In 1989, leaders around the world, including in East Asia and Pacific made a historic commitment to children with an international agreement on childhood. This agreement guaranteed every child, no matter who or where they were, the same rights to things like education, health and happiness.
Children in the region are, on the whole, living longer, have better access to healthcare and nutrition.
They are more likely to enjoy childhoods with stronger legal protections.
And more children are attending school, and are receiving a higher quality of education than previous generations.
But still not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood. Still, too many childhoods are cut short.
It is up to our generation to demand that leaders from government, business and communities fulfil their commitments and take action for child rights now, once and for all. They must commit to making sure every child, has every right.
Act now for child rights, for now and for generations to come:
Join UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham and call on world leaders to keep their promise to children
30 years on....
Thirty years on, child rights have not changed, they have no expiry date. But childhood has changed. Childhood in 2019 looks very different from childhood in 1989 and it will look very different again in another 30 years.
Global trends, like digital technologies, environmental change, protracted conflict, mass migration and urbanisation are changing childhood in East Asia and Pacific fast.
We also know that 30 years on, not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood in the region. Too many childhoods are still cut short.
In East Asia and Pacific, we must work together and demand that every child, has every right.