Rising need to renew global commitment to children's rights 100 Years of Geneva Declaration

The Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child has marked its 100th anniversary this year, a landmark document, signed by the international body preceding the United Nations, enshrining five core principles to prioritize children’s wellbeing and development.

While much progress has been made in the past century, statistics gathered in 2024 provide a somber outlook with educational disruption and violence due to conflicts having spiked in recent years. 

An article by the Diplomatic Courier breaks down why the anniversary should serve as a reminder of the urgency for addressing the educational challenges posed by ongoing global conflicts and the escalating climate crisis. 

The League of Nations ratified the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child in the aftermath of World War I and in response to the devastation it wreaked upon children, stating that humanity “owes to the Child the best that it has to give.”

One of the main co-authors of the bill was Cambridge alumni Eglantyne Jebb, founder of the renowned international "Save the Children" charity fund. The five core principles enshrined to prioritize children’s wellbeing and development which are still relevant in modern days: providing for children's material and spiritual needs, prioritizing their relief in times of distress, protecting them from exploitation, and fostering their talents for the service of humanity.

The anniversary was marked with minimal recognition this year, the publication noted, suggesting the harsh reality that significant progress is still needed to honor these foundational commitments as a reason for this. The statistics in 2024 present a bleak outlook: more children face educational disruption due to conflict and emergencies than in previous years; the number of out–of–school children has risen; and the toll of violence on children has reached unprecedented levels. 

Jane Mann, the publiction's author, highlights the need to ensure continuity of education despite disruption by developing robust systems for remote learning and mobile education, particularly in conflict zones. "Prioritizing children's wellbeing and mental health is essential, requiring safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments. Integrating climate education into curricula will prepare students to navigate and address the challenges of a changing world. Education systems must evolve to prioritize child–centered learning, putting children’s voices and needs first. Leveraging technology can enhance accessibility and personalization of education, but it must be used to complement, not replace, human interaction and intelligence", she stresses.

"The 100th anniversary of the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child is not just a historical commemoration, but a call to action. It highlights the need for a renewed commitment to ensuring every child's right to education, wellbeing, and the opportunity to flourish in an uncertain future. By addressing these challenges, we can honor the legacy of the Declaration and work toward a world where every child can thrive", the article concludes.

By Nazrin Sadigova