1924 - 2024
Centenary of the
Geneva Declaration
Read the declaration in the language of your choice*
2024 Geneva Declaration
on the Rights of the Child
On 20 November, 2024,
Commemorating the centennial of the Geneva Declaration, adopted by the League of Nations on 26 September 1924, the first declaration of children’s rights endorsed by an inter-governmental body and therefore affirming the universality of children’s rights,
Recalling the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) adopted 35 years ago (20/11/1989) and since ratified by 196 States Parties (out of 197), many of which also acceding to the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC), the Optional Protocol on children in armed conflict (OPAC), and the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure (OPIC),
Taking note of many significant achievements over the last 100 years with regard to children’s rights and wellbeing,
Alarmed nonetheless by the hundreds of millions of children around the world affected by poverty, violence, and climate change and the many other challenges they face in their lifetime that impact their physical health and mental resilience,
Deeply preoccupied by the plight of the children of today and of future generations unless urgent, comprehensive and collective action is undertaken to protect and promote their rights,
Recognizing the exceptional contributions of all human rights defenders and in particular child human rights defenders,
We exhort each and every State (local and national authorities), organisation -both governmental and non-governmental-, and all concerned persons, children and adults alike, to
● reaffirm their commitment, also in the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity, to respect, protect, and fulfil the rights of all children enshrined in the UNCRC and its Optional protocols without any discrimination,
● endorse the following Renewed Geneva Declaration for Children’s Rights calling for as a matter of priority to commit that all children of today and of future generations:
1. live in conditions of dignity and wellbeing, out of poverty, and with the highest attainable standard of health,
2. grow up in communities no longer affected by armed conflicts,
3. be listened to and have their opinions count in all decisions affecting them, thus recognizing their fundamental right to participate in shaping the communities they live in,
4. flourish in a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment conducive to their survival, development, and to the enjoyment of all their rights,
5. benefit from a safe and empowering experience in the fast-evolving digital environment in which they can conserve their agency and be digitally literate to navigate securely,
6. be protected from all forms of violence (physical, psychological, and sexual) in all settings, including in the home,
7. have their best interests respected in all current and future biotechnological developments,
8. access child-friendly systems of justice and commensurate remedies when their rights are violated,
9. are provided with free and inclusive early, primary, secondary, and vocational education with no discrimination,
10. experience the positive uniqueness of childhood that every person could wish for himself, herself, or themselves.
Declaration on the Rights of the Child
Already committed
Today, by celebrating the 2024 Geneva Declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold the rights of all children. Protecting children’s rights to safety, education, and dignity is not just ... +
Virginia Gamba
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Argentina
Today, by celebrating the 2024 Geneva Declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold the rights of all children. Protecting children’s rights to safety, education, and dignity is not just a moral duty but an imperative. This is crucial for their future and for building lasting peace.
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 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.
Volker Türk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Austria
100 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child, we celebrate significant advances for many children around the world. We also recommit to addressing the threats and obst... +
Jo Becker
Children's Rights Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
United States of America
100 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child, we celebrate significant advances for many children around the world. We also recommit to addressing the threats and obstacles that continue to rob children of their rights. As we move into a new century of advocacy, our child rights community is more important than ever.
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.
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.
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 ?
As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Declaration, we must all ask ourselves if we have done our utmost to give every Child the best we have to give. Adoption of the Declaration was... +
Yanghee Lee
Former Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
South Korea
As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Declaration, we must all ask ourselves if we have done our utmost to give every Child the best we have to give. Adoption of the Declaration was a watershed moment for all children: Recognition of the human rights of every child. And that the society had an obligation to protect, promote, and provide ample circumstances and opportunities for every child to realize their inherent basic human rights here and now. We must all recommit our pledge to fulfill what we had promised 100 years ago to every child in the present and for future generations.
« We are often told that our aims are impossible - that there has always been child suffering & always will be. We know. It's impossible only if we make it so. It's impossible only if we refuse to attempt it. »
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.