The 54 rights
54 reasons to champion child rights
No matter where they’re from, how they live, or who takes care of them, every child has the same fundamental rights to develop, grow and live well.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Our name comes from the 54 articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Every child around the world has their own set of rights, recognised by countries across the globe. And it all started with one determined woman. Eglantyne Jebb, founder of Save the Children.
In 1919, Eglantyne wrote the first Declaration of the Rights of the Child, making the case that every child has rights to food, healthcare, education and protection from harm.
Her idea was so powerful that it was adopted internationally in 1924. Over decades, people worked together to make it even stronger and fairer – and in 1989, it became the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The UNCRC is made up of 54 articles – 54 promises to children everywhere. It sits alongside other big agreements like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, all working together to protect our shared and unique rights.
Australia has signed the UNCRC. This means we have a national responsibility to respect children’s rights, meet their basic needs, and support them to reach their full potential.
These aren't just words on paper. They're a promise.
Why do children need special rights?
Evolving capacities
Children are constantly growing, learning, and discovering who they are. Rights that recognise this mean kids get the right support at every stage of their development – so they can tackle challenges, chase dreams, and fully thrive.
The right to be heard
Children's voices are too often left out of decisions that affect their lives. Special rights change that – making sure children and young people's ideas and perspectives are taken seriously by the adults around them.
Looking to the future
The decisions made today will shape the world children grow up in. That's why young people deserve a say – so their needs are front and centre when it comes to the long-term policies and systems that will define their future.
