30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (2019)

On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in New York. 30 years later, the UNCRC is the most widely ratified UN Treaty. This treaty has played and will continue to play a central role in the improvement of the lives of children around the world. The UNCRC elevates the child as a person with his/her own rights, especially the right to express his/her opinion on matters affecting him/her.

Ombudspersons for Children from across Europe have the unique role of monitoring but also advising domestic authorities on how they implement the UNCRC. They have the remit to report on any failures or omissions by national/regional authorities to safeguard and promote the rights of all children. As a network of 44 Independent Children’s Rights Institutions, ENOC works collectively to protect and promote the rights of the child through the fullest implementation of the UNCRC. To celebrate this milestone, Ombudspersons for Children or similar, members of the Network, released video statements (available below) reflecting on the main achievements and challenges in the children's rights area, 30 years after the adoption of the UNCRC. ENOC will also carry out an extensive work in 2020 on the specific issue of Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA), as a key mechanism for implementing the UNCRC and a crucial tool for advancing children’s rights.