1924 - 2024
A renewed
commitment to
children's rights
Advocate for Children’s Rights
2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child
A Century of Children’s Rights is worth a celebration! Since the 1924 Geneva Declaration, substantial progress has been made with regard to the well-being and protection of children, notably in the health and education sectors. Yet, it’s profoundly troubling that in 2024, these advances are eclipsed by the violence affecting children — a child dies every five minutes according to United Nations statistics, — and by emerging challenges such as digitization and the climate crisis.
It is high time to update the “Geneva Declaration” and mobilize collective consciousness around a renewed commitment to children’s rights: the 2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child.
2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child
Already Committed
In a time where Human Rights are declining in the view of State parties and individuals , where violence in all forms, insecurity, disasters and man-made declining of environment are threatening ch... +
Renate Winter
Former Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Austria
In a time where Human Rights are declining in the view of State parties and individuals , where violence in all forms, insecurity, disasters and man-made declining of environment are threatening children, I will do what I can to especially fight for equal rights for girls, as traditions and religions prevent their opportunities for a fully self-determined life.
Il y a cent ans, Eglantyne Jebb a déclenché un mouvement universel : celui des droits de l’enfant ! Sa Déclaration, officialisée par la Société des Nations, symbolise la révolution du statut ... +
Jean Zermatten
Ancien président, Comité des droits de l'enfant de l'ONU
Suisse
Il y a cent ans, Eglantyne Jebb a déclenché un mouvement universel : celui des droits de l’enfant ! Sa Déclaration, officialisée par la Société des Nations, symbolise la révolution du statut de l’enfant, devenu personne, qui ne doit pas seulement être protégé et éduqué, mais qui détient ses propres droits ! Saura-t-on assez la remercier ?
One Hundred Years of Working for Children’s Rights. As we commemorate the first 100 years since the Geneva Declaration, it is good to remember we are part of a long chain of advocates; our wo... +
Amihan V. Abueva
Regional Executive Director, Child Rights Coalition Asia
Philippines
One Hundred Years of Working for Children’s Rights. As we commemorate the first 100 years since the Geneva Declaration, it is good to remember we are part of a long chain of advocates; our work to defend children’s rights is never completely done but every effort counts, there will be new leaders who will continue to work with children to face new challenges worldwide.
By celebrating and ‘updating’ the Geneva Declaration, we pay tribute to the early child rights champions, and we recommit to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of all children en... +
Ann Skelton
Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
South Africa
By celebrating and ‘updating’ the Geneva Declaration, we pay tribute to the early child rights champions, and we recommit to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of all children enshrined in the UNCRC and its Optional Protocols. We remind ourselves there is still an enormous amount of work to be done.
It is very important at this moment in time to recommit to the re... +
Christina Nomdo
Western Cape Commissioner for Children
South Africa
It is very important at this moment in time to recommit to the realisation of child rights. Not only because we commemorate the global commitment made 100 years ago, but because child rights realisation is still an ideal for many children across the world. Times have changed, requiring us all to reflect on how we evolve our thinking on child rights. But at the same time, the fundamentals have not shifted significantly – we still require child rights champions to promote and protect child rights.
A l’heure où les crises se succèdent, comme les impacts de la pandémie, l’augmentation des inégalités, les dérèglements climatiques, les guerres, il est plus que jamais nécessai... +
Christina Kitsos
Maire de la Ville de Genève
Switzerland
A l’heure où les crises se succèdent, comme les impacts de la pandémie, l’augmentation des inégalités, les dérèglements climatiques, les guerres, il est plus que jamais nécessaire de considérer les enfants comme de véritables actrices et acteurs engagé.e.s, d’écouter leurs propositions et leurs révoltes pour avancer en faveur de la justice et de la paix, pour un monde ouvert et solidaire.
The end... +
Aneeta Ghoorah
Ombudsperson for Children
Mauritius
The endorsement of this Renewed Declaration is a must. Over the last 100 years, some progress—but only some—has been made with regard to the protection and safeguard of the several rights of children. The second reason responds directly to an evolved context where new challenges have emerged, especially with the rapid progress in technology. It thus behooves us all to commit ourselves to fulfilling our universal obligations that are so succinctly captured in the 2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child.
The Declaration of Geneva has provided the foundation for international children’s rights. In today’s world where children face some many challenges and crises, we need to remind oursel... +
Ton Liefaard
Professor, UNICEF Chair in Children's Rights, Leiden University
Netherlands
The Declaration of Geneva has provided the foundation for international children’s rights. In today’s world where children face some many challenges and crises, we need to remind ourselves of the very core of that foundation: Mankind owes to children the best it has to give and all children of today and of future generations are entitled to that.
The Geneva Declaration continues to be an inspiration for our moral obligation that we owe to children over generations. Enormous challenges to children in today’s world urge us to work harde... +
Mikiko Otani
Member & Former Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; President, Child Rights Connect
Japan
The Geneva Declaration continues to be an inspiration for our moral obligation that we owe to children over generations. Enormous challenges to children in today’s world urge us to work harder for realizing their rights. The centenary of the Geneva Declaration is the moment to renew our commitment as global citizens in solidarity with all including children.
« Je crois que nous devrions revendiquer certains droits pour les enfants et œuvrer pour leur reconnaissance universelle »
EGLANTYNE JEBB
2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child
Stand up for Children's Rights!
Every signature counts, yours more than any other.
If you do not sign the Declaration, it is as if you have chosen not to make your voice heard.
Explore the list
of signatories
Dignitaries
Jean Zermatten - Ancien président, Comité des droits de l'enfant de l'ONU- Ton Liefaard - Professor, UNICEF Chair in Children's Rights, Leiden University
- Renate Winter - Former Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
- Mikiko Otani - Member & Former Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; President, Child Rights Connect
- Anwarul K. Chowdhury - Ambassador, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and two times chair of the UNICEF Executive Board
- Virginia Gamba - Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
- Amihan V. Abueva - Regional Executive Director, Child Rights Coalition Asia
Prominent endorsers
- Laura Korhonen - Professor, Head of Barnafrid, the Swedish National Centre for Knowledge on Violence Against Children at Linköping University, Barnafrid, the Swedish National Centre for Knowledge on Violence Against Children at Linköping University
- Hans Kumar Sharma - Professor of Law, ICFAI University, Jaipur, India
- Anne Mitaru - International Director - Advocacy, Brand and Communications, SOS Children's Villages International
- Jaejun Park - Policy advisor to the Minister of Health and welfare of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea
- Sabine Saliba - Secretary General
- Faith Nimineh - Senior Advisor, Humanitarian Affairs, ChildFund Alliance
- Juliet Harris - Director, Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights)
All signatories
- Julian Sefton-Green - professor of new media education, Deakin University
- Kate Douglas - Professor of English, Flinders University
- Simon Fisher - Executive Director, Save a Childs Heart
- Elina Pekkarinen - Ombudsman for Children in Finland / Chair of ENOC, Office of the Ombudsman for Children in Finland / European Network of Ombudspersons for Children ENOC
- Amos Mahama Seidu - Executive Director, Centre for Rural Improvement Services (CRIS)
- Vasile Coroi - Children Ombudsperson, Moldovan Ombudsoffice
- Samuel Seidu Mahama - Project officer, Centre for Rural Improvement Services (CRIS)
Enfants
- Aldis, 15 years, Iceland
- Alex, 17 years, Armenia
- Alla, 17 years, Armenia
- Alvin, 11 years, Kenya
- Anna, 17 years, Armenia
- Annette, 13 years, Kenya
- Arina, 17 years, Armenia
- Arpi, 17 years, Armenia
- Bakhita, 12 years, Kenya
- Ben Berisha, 7 years, Kosovo
- Benjamin, 12 years, Kenya
- Bifon, 12 years, Kenya
- Blessing, 12 years, Kenya
- Bobana, 17 years, Montenegro
- Brilliant, 12 years, Kenya
- Bruno, 15 years, Switzerland
- Cecilia, 14 years, Switzerland
- Celestine, 13 years, Kenya
- Charline, 16 years, Switzerland
- Cicilia, 15 years, Kenya
- Clarice, 12 years, Kenya
From a Visionary’s Inspiration to Global Action
Celebrating 100 Years of the Children's Rights Declaration
The spirit of Geneva, imbued with values of humanism and social justice, continues to inspire today, urging us all to celebrate a century of children’s rights.
« Il n’y a clairement aucune impossibilité intrinsèque à sauver les enfants du monde. Ce n’est impossible que si nous le décidons, par notre refus de le tenter. »
EGLANTYNE JEBB
2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child
Stand up for Children's Rights!
Every signature counts, yours more than any other.
If you do not sign the Declaration, it is as if you have chosen not to make your voice heard.