A renewed
commitment to
children's rights

Il y a cent ans, Eglantyne Jebb a déclenché un mouvement universel : celui des droits de l’enfant ! Sa Déclaration, officialisée par la Société des Nations, symbolise la révolution du statut de l’enfant, devenu personne, qui ne doit pas seulement être protégé et éduqué, mais qui détient ses propres droits ! Saura-t-on assez la remercier ?

In the early 1920s in Geneva, Eglantyne Jebb, the founder of Save the Children, was coordinating relief aid reaching vulnerable children across Europe in the aftermath of the First World War. However, she was of the opinion that children should not only be considered as recipients of charitable aid, but that children have their own agency and rights. That’s the reason why she developed the Geneva Declaration on Children’s Rights. 100 years later, Save the Children continues every day to work alongside children and promote their rights, inspired by Eglantyne Jebb’s vision.

As we commemorate the centennial of the Geneva Declaration and affirm the universality of children’s rights, it is our duty to overcome the challenges that we face in translating these ideals into action. We must draw deeply from our collective wisdom and resolve as only through the respect, protection and fulfilment of child rights can we ensure that all children get the best that humanity has to offer.

This renewed declaration is a reminder of our duty to ensure that children are always regarded as equal rights holders and active citizens participating in society, having their voices heard and views considered. (…) We should not allow ourselves to forget that the realization of the rights and wellbeing of children is not altruism or charity, but justice and obligation.

While we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Declaration, we are determined to strengthen our commitment to the promotion and protection of children’s rights around the globe, and to bring the UN Convention on the rights of the Child and its optional protocols to the fore front of the world attention.

As we commemorate the centennial of the Geneva Declaration and affirm the universality of children’s rights, it is our duty to overcome the challenges that we face in translating these ideals into action. We must draw deeply from our collective wisdom and resolve as only through the respect, protection and fulfilment of child rights can we ensure that all children get the best that humanity has to offer.

It is very important at this moment in time to recommit to the realisation of child rights. Not only because we commemorate the global commitment made 100 years ago, but because child rights realisation is still an ideal for many children across the world. Times have changed, requiring us all to reflect on how we evolve our thinking on child rights. But at the same time, the fundamentals have not shifted significantly – we still require child rights champions to promote and protect child rights.

The Geneva Declaration put a foundation of not protecting children but recognising them as human. As we celebrate the 100 years of the Declaration we need to think on how we can build the next floor of the building from the UNCRC, in a world where children are faced with climate change and digital expansion. Thank you Jebb. 

The Geneva Declaration continues to be an inspiration for our moral obligation that we owe to children over generations. Enormous challenges to children in today’s world urge us to work harder for realizing their rights. The centenary of the Geneva Declaration is the moment to renew our commitment as global citizens in solidarity with all including children.

En ces temps incertains, il faut rappeler que, en plus du droit humanitaire, Genève est aussi le berceau des droits de l’enfant. Alors que tous deux sont bafoués à travers le monde, un nouveau souffle provenant de Genève ne sera jamais de trop!

One Hundred Years of Working for Children’s Rights. As we commemorate the first 100 years since the Geneva Declaration, it is good to remember we are part of a long chain of advocates; our work to defend children’s rights is never completely done but every effort counts, there will be new leaders who will continue to work with children to face new challenges worldwide.

Déjà un siècle et encore tant à faire. Réaffirmer la volonté de respecter les droits de l’enfant doit interpeler chacun d’entre nous. Chaque adulte peut et doit contribuer à les mettre en pratique, où qu’il soit. Il n’y a pas d’excuse. C’est la responsabilité de chacun.

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” – so proclaimed Madiba Nelson Mandela. The 1924 Geneva Declaration asserted that humanity “owes to the Child the best that it has to give.” As the world celebrates its 100th anniversary, I am inspired to sign the Renewed Geneva Declaration and take the vow to uphold and ensure the inherent rights of the child in the best interest of humanity.

The work of Eglantyne Jebb and Janusz Korczak, along with other champions of children’s rights 100 years ago, has not lost its relevance. It’s incredible how accurately they identified the most important issues that have only recently been associated with many others. Today, we cannot be satisfied with the results we have achieved so far, despite the progress made. That is why we must continue what they started and emphasize that we are still far from complete accomplishment.

Today, by celebrating the 2024 Geneva Declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold the rights of all children. Protecting children’s rights to safety, education, and dignity is not just a moral duty but an imperative. This is crucial for their future and for building lasting peace.

Celebramos 100 años de la 1ra declaración de derechos del niño en un momento crítico para la humanidad y particularmente para los niños y niñas en el mundo.
Que estos 100 años nos reafirmen el compromiso con la paz entre los pueblos, sólo así podremos construir sociedades respetuosas con los derechos humanos de todos en especial de los niños y niñas.

As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Declaration, we must all ask ourselves if we have done our utmost to give every Child the best we have to give. Adoption of the Declaration was a watershed moment for all children: Recognition of the human rights of every child. And that the society had an obligation to protect, promote, and provide ample circumstances and opportunities for every child to realize their inherent basic human rights here and now. We must all recommit our pledge to fulfill what we had promised 100 years ago to every child in the present and for future generations.

After 100 years of progress, we are observing a breaking point of children’s rights. An increasing number of children suffer in the crossfire of wars, lose their living environments, and fall out of school. Right now, we must defend children’s rights together, and I am engaged to join this movement.

The 2024 Declaration on the Rights of the Child is a testament to our shared responsibilities, values and commitments to protect children’s rights and to ensure that they are given the space to enjoy their childhood and to develop and thrive in safety and free from fear everywhere they are – offline and online.

Les droits de l’enfant sont plus que jamais menacés et bafoués, à la vue de tous. Je suis sidérée et indignée. Cette nouvelle déclaration nous rappelle à l’essentiel et renouvelle notre engagement pour protéger les enfants qui sont les graines d’espoir d’un futur plus solidaire.  Il y a urgence : signons vite la Déclaration 2024 de Genève et agissons.

100 years after the Geneva Declaration, digital technologies are transforming children’s lives for better and worse. Today’s powerful actors – the digital innovators – must protect the full rights of children impacted by the digital environment. The global effort to assert, promote and embed children’s rights in national laws, policies and practices remains vital. I therefore greatly welcome this renewal of the Geneva Declaration, for today’s generation of powerful actors is greatly in need of its message.