Rights and well-being of children

AS WE OBSERVE National Children's Day on 1 November, it is timely to view the progress made globally towards safeguarding the rights and promoting the well-being of our children.

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After the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1959 the international community has increasingly recognised the relevance of human rights to children. There is still much to be done, however, to ensure that the rights of children are preserved.

According to the Bahá'í Writings: "The child must not be oppressed or censured because it is undeveloped; it must be patiently trained", and that "The education of each child is compulsory. In addition to this wide-spread education each child must be taught a profession, art, or trade, so that every member of the community will be enabled to earn his own livelihood".

Every child has unique gifts and potentialities, and as parents it is our responsibility and privilege to educate our children intellectually and spiritually, support them to grow through life's many challenges, and help them turn the tests in life into victories.