The State of the World’s Children report, published by UNICEF, has just this week issued a  special edition of the report in commemoration of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Released  on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Convention’s adoption by the UN General Assembly,

“The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most ratified human rights treaty in human history,” said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. “It has transformed the way children are viewed and treated throughout the world.”

The special issue was set forth to track the impact of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, for which it highlights the amazing strides that have been made over the last twenty-years.  Such strides include; increased HIV/AIDS awareness, higher numbers of primary school enrollment worldwide, improved water sources and access.

However while considerable improvements have been made for the enforcement and protection of children’s rights, much still needs to be done.  Thus it was for this the report took the task to seek and pinpoint the stumbling blocs that continue to impede the effectiveness of the convention and progress on the rights of the child across the globe.

“It is unacceptable that children are still dying from preventable causes, like pneumonia, malaria, measles and malnutrition,” said Veneman. “Many of the world’s children will never see the inside of a school room, and millions lack protection against violence, abuse, exploitation, discrimination and neglect.”

What challenges are ahead for the next twenty-years? It is clear that many of our previous challenges continue to remain, including US ratification of the convention. The true test will be the ability of the convention’s will and signatories to ‘unite governmental accountability with social and individual responsibility’.