Abstract:

A world fit for children is a world fit for everyone. The world is filled of with children, and these young minds house enormous human potential, which we collectively deem worthy of special protection and care. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) set forth several key principals: non-discrimination, best interests of the child, right to life, survival and development, and respecting the views of the child. Non-discrimination means that all children have the same right to develop their potential, all children in all situations, all the time, everywhere. Young people have a voice and all they need to learn is how to use it, once they know they want to share all their knowledge with others. They want to live and have a hopeful future. These children become the adults and leaders of tomorrow; the lives they live as adults is a reflection of the childhood they had. The third section of this issue speaks of the rights children are entitled to, which include ways to prevent lifestyle disorders while they are children and also how to care for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Children affected by HIV/AIDS are still children that want the chance to live and want to be comforted and relived of pain. The sacredness of life honored in our tradition grounds our belief in the ultimate meeting and value of the child. This sacredness of life compels us to be a voice of conscience to all, throughout the world, who have held a child in love, with joy for its life, with tears for its pain. There is a universal dimension to this collective thinking and shared commitment within different religious communities, which make the care of every child not only an ideal but also an ethical obligation. With this ethical obligation comes a physical obligation to set a global platform for Human Development. Development is about expanding the choices people have to lead that they value. The United Nation Millennium Development Goals are as follow: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development. Education is the key to progress for individuals, communities, and countries. This publication helps educate all those who read this about the future of children. It encourages people to educate themselves about HIV/AIDS and to be more aware of the needs of those that are affected by this illness.