Advocating for Early Childhood Development at the Human Rights Council

The Children’s Advisory Team engaged with the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child held on 13 March 2025 at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Two child advisors, Layan and Sarah worked together to prepare a powerful statement, as this year’s theme focused on Early Childhood Development.

Their joint effort highlighted the importance of investing in the earliest years of life to ensure every child’s right to thrive. Layan delivered the statement on behalf of the team  calling for stronger global commitments to children’s rights: “Many factors play a role in the developments process like: the environment they’re surrounded by like family is one of the biggest factor affecting the child’s development. Adults should engage children with interesting topics, motivate participation, and provide positive support. Encouraging various forms of expression reinforces the importance of sharing opinions. Young children may struggle to have their opinions taken seriously due to their age. They should be encouraged to express themselves and participate in relevant discussions. Children’s development forms the basis for their future happiness and achievements.”

This compelling appeal reinforced why early childhood development must remain at the heart of child rights advocacy.