Wondering who the United Nations is, what "rights" are or what a convention is? Read on to find out...
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization which was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries and get them to talk to each other about problems. There are currently 192 member states, nearly every country in the world.
Its aims are to get cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieve world peace. Quite a lot then!
Rights are things every child should have or be able to do. All children have the same rights.
A convention is an agreement between countries to obey the same laws.
What's this UN Convention on the Rights of the Child all about then?
The UN Convention on the Rights of the child is an international treaty that sets out universally accepted rights for children. The Convention was officially approved by the United Nations in 1989 and has been signed by all but two countries in the world.
This means that each government agrees to protect and enhance the basic rights of children through their policies, programs and services as written in the treaty. How well they do this can be measured against the rights written in the treaty.
All the rights are connected to each other, and all are equally important. Sometimes, we have to think about rights in terms of what is the best for children in a situation, and what is critical to life and protection from harm. As you grow, you have more responsibility to make choices and exercise your rights.
What's the link between this and Alive & Kicking?
Alive & Kicking helps to promote children's right to play and right to good health - many of the articles support these ideas but the most important one is Article 31.
Article 31 states: All children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities.
Other important articles promoting the right to play and good health include:
Article 3 In all actions concerning children, the main consideration should be what is best for the child.
Article 17 Children have the right to get information that is important to their social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health.
Article 24 Children have the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help them stay well.
Article 27 Children have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have their basic mental and physical needs met. They should not be disadvantaged so that they can't do many of the things other kids can do.
Article 29 Education should include the development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential.
Back to 'Alive & Kicking, just for fun?'
Alive & Kicking make cheap, tough, repairable footballs, netballs and volleyballs using African skills and African leather. Each carries a message about HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Help A&K achieve our goal by
And get yourself healthy in the process
