Global: A Call to Business to Respect and Support Children’s Rights – UN Global Compact
A landmark set of ten principles to ensure that companies respect and support children’s rights has been released. UNICEF, the UN Global Compact and Save the Children introduced the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, a call on business to step up their efforts to respect and support children’s rights in the workplace, marketplace and community.
Covering a wide range of key issues – from child labor to marketing and advertising practices to the role of business in aiding children affected by emergencies – the Principles call on businesses everywhere to uphold children’s rights through their policy commitments, due diligence and remediation measures, and to take action to advance children’s rights.
The Principles identify a comprehensive range of actions that all business should take to prevent and address adverse impacts connected with their activities and relationships, and maximize positive business impacts on children’s lives. The Principles aspire to be a key reference point for existing and future voluntary and other initiatives on business and children, and to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration. They are for all business–transnational and other–regardless of their size, sector, location, ownership and structure.
The Principles also seek to inform other societal actors, particularly governments and civil society, in their engagement with business. Governments at all levels have the duty to protect, respect and fulfill children’s rights. However, all societal actors, including business and civil society, must comply with applicable national law and respect international standards on children’s rights. The Principles seek to elaborate business’ role in responding to the international community’s call on all members of society to join in a global movement to help build a world fit for children. To view video, follow this link: Children’s Rights and Business Principles video.
