1.2 Conclusion

The needs of children form the basis for a universal set of standards by which all children should be treated in order for them to achieve their full potential for health and development. The Convention on the Rights of the Child codifies these needs and acknowledges them as human rights which all children are entitled to have fulfilled. Children’s rights cannot be realized unless adults with responsibilities for children take the necessary action to make them a reality. Accordingly, the Convention places responsibilities on governments and other adults to take all necessary action to ensure the realization of all rights for all children. In summary:

• All children have rights that emanate from their humanity. In addition, all children have basic universal needs.
• These needs form a basic set of common standards necessary for optimal health and development.
• Children are entitled to be treated according to these common standards.
• These standards impose obligations on adults to ensure their fulfillment.
• A commitment to fulfilling these obligations creates rights for children to have their needs met.
• These rights have been codified into an international human rights treaty, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which introduces obligations on governments, and other responsible adults and agencies, to protect and promote the rights of children necessary to fulfill their needs.