Children are the most vulnerable victims of poverty, armed conflict, and abuse, the latter expressed in many forms: from the abuse from their own parents to the worst forms of child labor. Maryknoll’s work on behalf of children is extensive, especially in the areas of education and HIV/AIDS, but also with children without families, substance abuse, in conflict with the law, sexual exploitation, health, child registration, war victims and refugees, among others.
From the MOGC we link the work done overseas by Maryknoll with global challenges affecting children, and with the specific work of the UN regarding children. We are members of the NGO Committee on UNICEF, and the Geneva-based NGO Working Group on the Rights of the Child. We network with other organizations focusing on children, especially with the interfaith Global Network of Religions for Children.
The MOGC framework for children’s issues is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989. The CRC compiles former international legislation in relation to children and brings new provisions under the principle that children have rights, and that governments and societies must implement policies and actions in the best interest of the child. The CRC provisions cover the human person from 0 to 18 years, as well as the unborn.
The CRC has two optional protocols, the first on t he “ Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography,” which entered into force in January 2002 , and the second on t he “Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict,” which entered into force in February 2002 . The U.S. has not ratified the CRC, although it did ratify its two optional protocols.
The MOGC is a member of the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Links
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UN appoints new Special Representative on Violence Against Children
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Iraq: Children's health, education have greatly deteriorated (PDF file)
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"And how are the children?" Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2007,
closing keynote address by Mercedes Roman -
Impact of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in countries
where Maryknollers work (PDF file)