An introductory essay to a special issue on children’s rights looks at the relation between convictions expressed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and actual commitments. The many ways children’s rights are violated across the globe are described, including the increasing number of children living in poverty, as well as those who are victims of neglect, assault, armed conflict, work accidents, and landmines. The complexity of children’s rights in the United States is discussed, along with concerns over the refusal of the US and Somalia to sign the CRC, which has been ratified by 191 nations. Examination of reasons why so many countries have not developed integrated strategies for implementing the CRC argues that the technocratic nature of the discourse avoids addressing power relations that are crucial for understanding the needs of children. Other issues discussed include the roles played by nongovernmental organizations; conflicts between “commercial humanism” and “civic humanism”; and the importance of a global perspective. A synopsis of each essay is included.
