ACEI joins UNICEF in fight for world's children.

Because so many of us are inclined to think of our membership in a professional organization in terms of the tangible benefits we receive, we sometimes overlook some of the other key benefits available to us. In this case, I'm speaking about ACEI's role as an advocate for children's rights.

Today's problems that affect children are often monumental and ACEI alone cannot solve them. By pooling our resources and seeking opportunities for interaction and networking, however, we can help improve policies and programs more effectively than we can through isolated, individual efforts. Let me give you an example.

Many of you are probably not aware that ACEI represents your interests as a member of the United Nations NGO Committee on UNICEF. The NGO (Non-governmental Organizations) Committee includes groups, like ACEI, that have been granted consultative status with UNICEF. We receive frequent mailings and are invited to send a representative to all meetings, seminars and conferences sponsored by the NGO Committee. Participants have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the leading children's issues, share their concerns and expertise, help develop strategies for action and otherwise support the work of the UN and the association they represent.

The NGO Committee provides an important forum for open dialogue and joint action by NGOs working in child-related areas. It is governed by an elected board and currently has eight subcommittees that meet regularly to address various issues related to children.

In 1988, the NGO Committee organized a symposium at the UN Headquarters titled, "Educators and the Rights of the Child." ACEI was one of several co-sponsors of this event. The group met to review and promote the Un's Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was subsequently adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989. In giving its support to the Convention, ACEI joined a coalition of more than 120 U.S. and international humanitarian organizations advocating adoption of the landmark bill.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most significant human rights treaty of its kind ever adopted. It calls on all countries to respect and promote the social, political, economic, cultural and civil rights of children regardless of their race, creed, sex or social status. The treaty prescribes that children's rights be given political priority by governments.

Countries that become State parties to the Convention agree to make its standards part of their legislation. The Convention's 54 articles are then binding on the ratifying countries - both as international law protecting children and as guidelines for national programs to benefit children. Approximately 153 countries have thus far approved the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Fifteen other countries have signed, but not yet ratified, the treaty. The United States has been reluctant to sign the Convention, citing concerns about national sovereignty and abortion.

Since 1990, the Committee has been a strong proponent of both the Declaration and Plan of Action that were drafted and approved at the World Summit for Children in New York. The Summit set the following overall goals for child survival, development and protection for the year 2000:

* Reduce by one-third the infant and under-five death rate

* Reduce by half the maternal mortality rate 

* Reduce by half severe and moderate malnutrition among the world's children under five

* Make safe water and sanitation available for all families

* Increase basic education for all children and expand completion of primary education to 80 percent of the population

* Reduce by half the adult illiteracy rate

* Protect children in especially difficult circumstances

* Expand adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to all countries.

The World Summit for Children, the largest gathering of Heads of State in history, brought the world's leaders face-to-face with the state of the world's children. They realized that millions of young lives could be saved or improved through the implementation of a universal plan of action.

Passage of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into international law and the commitments generated by the World Summit for Children offer new hope for improving the health and education of the world's children. ACEI has an intrinsic concern for the success of such programs and an obligation to represent the interests of its members.

If you live in or near New York City or are a frequent visitor and would like to officially represent ACEI at the offices of the United Nations, please contact Headquarters for more information.