Book Overview

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.” The nations children are a supremely important asset. Their nurture and solicitude are our responsibility. Childrens programme should find a prominent part in our national plans for the development of human resources, so that our children grow up to become robust citizens, physically fit, mentally alert and morally healthy, endowed with the skill and motivations needed by society. Equal opportunities for development to all children during the period of growth should be our aim, for this would serve our large purpose of reducing inequality and ensuring social justice. It is an elementary requirement of any civilized society to provide or cultivate a good environment for this purpose. If it is not provided then it is harmful to the growth and development of children. Rights of children have been recognized through various international treaties and documents. Before the World War II the Geneva Declaration was adopted by the League of Nations in 1924. This was the first step where rights of children were recognized by the United Nations. In 1948 the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights commonly referred as the international Magna Carta which recognized the childrens need for protection. In 1989 the United Nations took its first step to frame a global document specially focusing on child rights which covered the four major rights of children such as– Right to life, Right to Development, Right to protection and Right to participation.