Implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child

This book considers one of the main umbrella articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Article 4, dealing with the concept of the obligations of the States Parties to meet their commitments `to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international cooperation'. The importance is emphasized of a broad interpretation of societal `resources', going well beyond the severely limited finances of governments in most developing countries and extending both to the international (official and non-governmental) levels and to the expanding civil societies of these nations. `Resources' are broadly defined to include human, technological, cultural and organizational capabilities as well as conventional economic resources. The thematic chapters give many examples of how such `resources' can be effectively mobilized for children, including the areas of education, health, nutrition and child labour.