Celebrating a quarter century of Child Rights(2)

We know from global experience that children born to poor parents, children of ethnic minorities, children who live in rural areas, and children with disabilities all remain particularly vulnerable.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that in all actions concerning children, "the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration". If we put those interests at the heart of our agenda for the future, we will not only serve the rights of children, but also constructively shape our own future.

When we invest in a child's health, nutrition, protection and survival, we do more than just save a life. As child survival improves, so of course does life expectancy. A one-year improvement in a population's life expectancy is associated with a 4 percent increase in national economic output.

When we invest in a child's education, we set in motion a path toward prosperity, empowerment and inclusion not just for the individual but also for societies and economies. Each additional year of schooling translates into an up to 10 percent increase in potential income. And we are also building the next generation of parents and leaders who, having grown up healthy, well educated and protected, will be better willing and able to guide future generations.

There is now a better understanding of the ways in which children experience poverty, and how the multiple deprivations they face acutely have an impact on their ability to survive and thrive. This knowledge is informing better-focused policies and programs for children. More is also known about the importance of early childhood as the most important development stage in a person's life, with resulting increases in the number of children benefiting from early education.

So as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the results it has helped bring about for children, we must remember that by meeting our obligations under the Convention, we build the foundation of a strong as well as just society.

We must also continue our work for universal implementation of the Convention, making the right of the most disadvantaged, vulnerable and excluded children to health, education, protection and equal opportunity a central public priority.

We have traveled farther down the road charted by the Convention, but we are still a long way from the envisioned destination. The vision of the Convention can only be achieved if the rights of all children, including the most disadvantaged, are realized.

The author, Gillian Mellsop, is the representative for UNICEF China.