Love them and protect them
The World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights: A Global Commitment to the Future of Childhood
On 2nd and 3rd February, the Holy See will host an event of extraordinary importance: the "World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights," an international summit on children’s rights entitled "Love Them and Protect Them."
The summit will bring together Heads of State, Global Leaders, and Nobel Laureates chaired by Pope Francis with the aim of highlighting the protection of children's rights, promoting concrete solutions to improve the living conditions of millions of children who still live in poverty, conflict, and discrimination.
The event, organised by the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day, represents a crucial moment for reflection and action on the fundamental issues for children’s growth and development. During the event, a series of thematic panels will be held, addressing children’s rights from various perspectives and highlighting the global challenges that require urgent collective commitment.
The Panels: An In-Depth Look at the Main Challenges
Children’s Rights in Today’s World
The need for the universal ratification and effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child will be discussed. Despite progress, 14,000 children die every day from preventable causes, and violence remains widespread, as do inequalities in access to basic rights.
Children’s Right to Resources
The panel will explore the importance of "investing in children" not only economically but also socially and humanely, addressing the unequal distribution of global resources that hinders improvements in child welfare.
The Right to Education
Access to education will be discussed, with over 250 million children out of school, particularly girls in regions such as Afghanistan. Education is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting social and economic development.
The Right to Food, Nutrition, and Health
Despite global food sufficiency, thousands of children die from hunger and malnutrition. Policies to combat child hunger will be discussed, with a focus on improving access to nutrition and healthcare.
The Right to a Family
This panel will focus on the importance of growing up in a safe and loving family environment, examining policies that support struggling families, especially those in poverty or conflict zones.
The Right to Live Free from Violence
Child labour is on the rise, fuelled by poverty and instability. Leaders will discuss strategies to combat exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, protecting children from all forms of violence.
A Call to Action
The "World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights" serves as a powerful and unequivocal call for immediate action. Each panel, speech, and proposal presented during the event will play a vital role in shaping a fairer and more prosperous future for our society.
