Thomson Reuters Foundation: A G20 imperative: Focus on our children
Graça Machel, member of The Elders, Mozambican politician, and social and human rights activist

“…This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Progress on many fronts is impressive, but with critical gaps. … Protecting the freedom, dignity, and rights of all children and facilitating their empowerment is a challenge that demands integrated strategies of poverty relief, anti-trafficking efforts, and a sharp focus on education. … Religious communities play a critical role in morally, spiritually, and practically supporting and shaping families and other caregivers in child upbringing … The influential role of interfaith actors can be enhanced through working in concert with civil society, private sector, governments, and G20 leadership to advance the rights of children globally. … Every item on the G20 agenda, and every target of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, hangs in the balance should we not prioritize investment in the health, education, and well-being of our children. The central and overarching promise of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is one of ensuring that every child can truly develop physically, morally, and spiritually in an environment of freedom and dignity. Politicians at the highest levels, faith leaders and civil society leaders, and engaged citizens and children themselves must work together to meet this challenge” (6/29).