Submitted by crinadmin on
CRIN MEMBERS - PROFILES
Organisation Leaflet
NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Organisation Brochure
Text of leaflet:
Nature
The National Committee for the Rights of the Child (NC RC) is a
coordinated coalition of nonprofit organizations, individuals,
businesses, corporations who are committed to improving the
quality of life and development ofchildren in America.
Rationale
Concern for the just treatment of children increased throughout
the 20th century. During this time, many organizations and
individuals committed themselves to the promotion of children's
rights in our society, but, unfortunately, the strength and
effectiveness of these separate efforts were limited. As a
consequence, there is an urgent need for a systematic and
coordinated effort by a broad spectrum of child-and family-
oriented organizations and individuals to promote advances in
the treatment of children. The National Committee for the Rights
of Child is intended to produce the required critical mass of
cooperative planning and action.
History
Representatives of organizations interested in children's
developmental rights began meeting in January of 1991 to
discuss the development of a national coalition for the purpose of
supporting mutual goals. Three full meetings (held in
Washington), plus many conference calls and working-group
sessions were devoted to the planning of the NCRC. The
missions, goals and purposes of the NCRC were developed and
approved by the planning group.
Approximately 40 organizations participated in the planning
sessions of the NCRC and another 30 indicated supportive
interest. As a result of these activities, the themes and standards
of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child were
identified for special emphasis in working toward improvements
for children."
Mission
The mission of the National Committee for the Rights of the Child
is to promote, advance and ensure the rights of the children at all
levels of society in the United States. These rights are exemplified
by, but not limited to, the standards contained in the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Goals
· To develop and continuously update a national agenda for
children's rights goals and action relevant to all levels of society;
· To enhance and facilitate children's rights work of members of
the Committee through collaborative and individual efforts;
· To mobilize non-member organizations and institutions in
support of children's rights.
Strategies
· To advance children's rights through education and advocacy at
all levels of society;
· To encourage all public and private sector institutions to support
children's rights standards, including, but not limited to, those of
the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child;
· To gather and analyze data relative to the implementation of,
and compliance with, children's rights standards, including but not
limited to, those of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child;
· To exchange and disseminate information on compliance with
children's rights standards at local, state, regional, national, and
international levels;
· To advance children's rights through public interest legal activity,
and technical legal assistance;
· To communicate and cooperate with national children's rights
committees, or like organizations in other nations.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child is an
international human rights treaty which was adopted
unanimously by the General Assembly on November 20,1989. The
Convention was an outcome of the 1979 International Year of the
Child and its drafting took place during the following ten-year
period. Originally conceived as a treaty for the physical protection
of children, it was extended to include full protection of the child's
human dignity.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by
more countries than any other in the United Nations human rights
treaty and the number of States Parties is still growing. Although
the United States was an active participant in the Convention's
drafting, the complexity of the ratification, which Constitutionally
requires "advice and consent" by the Senate, has slowed the
efforts to establish the Convention's standards in this country.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important step in
establishing rights for children. A step that supports the idea that
children are persons with a parity in rights and not mere chattel
property to be treated in any way the so-called owner desires.
The NCRC believes that the basic rights outlined in the
Convention should be implemented in the United States as the
minimum standard of protection owed to every child.
Questions
Does establishing rights for children mean thatmychild will have a
right to $150 sneakers or to the latest fad that comes along?
No! The NCRC is referring to establishing and implementing
developmental rights to ensure
children have the best opportunity to develop emotionally and
physically.
Has the NCRC been established primarily to address the
ratification by the U.S. of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights ofthe Child?
No! The NCRC has been formed to be a long-term organization
dedicated to the broad spectrum of children's rights. The U.N.
Convention is only a first issue of focus for NCRC.
Is the NCRC affilia ted with or supportive ofa political party?
No! The NCRC is a non-partisan organization that works with any
leader interested in the betterment of children.
Is there a place for me or my organization in the NCR C?
You bet! The NCRC is growing and it is open to all interested non-
governmental organizations, individuals, businesses, and
corporations.
American Agenda for ChiIdren's Rights
The NCRC has developed an agenda for establishing rights for
children in America.
The National Committee for the Rights of the Child believes that
every child in America should be guaranteed:
· the right to adequate food, clothing, and shelter:
· the right to care and nurturing ofa loving family environment:
· the right to adequate physical and mental health care:
· the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect;
exploitation, and violence:
· the right to a safe, healthy community and environment:
· the right to an education that fosters the development ofevery
child's potential for full participation in our democratic society; and
· the right to constitutional protection of the child's human dignity.