hunger, intolerance, discrimination, disability and inadequate legal protection, and convinced that urgent and
effective national and international action is called for,
Alarmed by the reality of daily violations of children’s rights, including the right to life, to physical
security and to freedom from arbitrary detention, torture and any form of exploitation, as well as economic,
social and cultural rights, as laid out in relevant international instruments,
Supporting the preparatory process for the special session of the General Assembly to be convened in
September 2001 to follow up the World Summit for Children and encouraging States to participate actively
therein in order to promote an effective review of progress made, as well as the identification of obstacles
affecting the full implementation of the outcome of the World Summit, as a reaffirmation of their commitment to
the rights of the child, and encouraging the establishment of forward-looking strategies, taking into account a
strong child rights approach,
Welcoming the integration of child-related issues into the preparations for and the outcome of the World
Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be held in September
2001,
Stressing the importance of taking into account a child rights approach in the preparations for the
special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS to be convened in June 2001 and the need for a concerted
approach for children affected or infected by the pandemic, including those orphaned as a result of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic, focusing in particular on the worst-hit regions in Africa, and to give importance to the
treatment, care and support of children infected by HIV/AIDS,
Welcoming the reports of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child (E/CN.4/2001/74), of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education (E/CN.4/2001/52), of the Special
Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (E/CN.4/2001/78 and Add.1-2), of
the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the impact of armed conflict on children to the General
Assembly at its fifty-fifth session (A/55/442) and to the Commission at its fifty-seventh session
(E/CN.4/2001/76), and the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (A/55/163S/2000/712),
Reaffirming that the family is the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the
growth and well-being of children, and recognizing that children should grow up in a family environment and
social atmosphere of peace, respect, happiness, love and understanding,
Concerned at the number of illegal adoptions, of children growing up without parents and of child
victims of family and social violence, neglect and abuse,
Mindful of the commitments made by heads of State and Government and the targets identified in the
United Nations Millennium Declaration pertaining to the realization, promotion and protection of the rights of
the child,
Recognizing that partnership between Governments, international organizations, and relevant bodies
and organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Children’s Fund, and all actors
of civil society, in particular non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector, is important to realize
the rights of the child,
Welcoming the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the
World (2001-2010) and the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which serve as the
basis for the International Decade,
Welcoming also the convening of the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation
of Children in Yokohama, Japan, in December 2001, and the regional consultation meetings,
I. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS
OF THE CHILD AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
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