2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child


This renewed Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child recognises that the world has changed so much that as well as the important rights for children in the original Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, significant new rights need to be declared.
So much has changed in our world over the last 100 years. There were no computers 100 years ago, not many cures for illnesses and not even one aeroplane had been created! Homes didn’t have refrigerators but a man would travel through neighbourhoods with his horse drawn carriage delivering ice blocks to homes. The only telephones that existed were large and could not be moved from where they were placed and more…..With so much happening in our world today, children often feel rushed to get everything done and many grownups have forgotten the importance of play, that is not only fun, but also a great way of learning.

The decision to renew the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child was made. Important additions and amendments were developed with the goal including that all children should live safe, healthy, free lives to have their own identities respected and live the joys and fun of childhood even while they are still at school; knowing that playing, building, creating having your own ideas are all ways of learning too, whatever age; be respected and valued as citizens with their voices heard and know they can get help when needed. Thank you very much to the members of the UNCRC for renewing those very important Declaration. This 2024 Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child might look complicated at first. Please ask parents, friends and teachers about it and think and talk about it too. You can also go to the Activity page now.

A question. Is there a poster of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in your school?