A World Fit for Children: Millennium Development Goals Special Sessionon Children Documents the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In May 2002, participants at the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session on Children committed to a set of specific goals for children and youth and a basic framework for meeting these goals. This report compiles the commitments that were part of the Special Session: (1) the Millennium Development Goals, earlier pledged to by all 189 United Nations member states; (2) the Children's Statement, "a World Fit for Us," delivered at the opening plenary of the Special Session by delegates representing the Children's Forum; (3) "a World Fit for Children," the consensus outcome document of the General Assembly, with goals and targets to be met; (4) the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified, acceded to, or signed by 192 countries in the 12 years since it was first ratified; and (5) two Optional Protocols to the Convention. Together, these documents constitute a guidebook for those working to improve the lives of children and young people throughout the world. The Millennium Development Goals relate to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating hiv/aids and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and developing a global partnership for development. The document, "a World Fit for Children," reviews progress made in the area of children's rights and well-being, and presents a plan of action, including goals and strategies, mechanisms for mobilizing resources, and follow-up actions and assessment. Following the text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child treaty, two Optional Protocols to the Convention are presented, relating to: (1) the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography; and (2) the involvement of children in armed conflict. (Kb)

English.