Prof. Milovidov attends Launch of Children's Rights and Business Principles

On March 12, 2012, Professor Elizabeth Milovidov attended the London launch of the Children's Rights and Business Principles. The Principles were formulated by UNICEF, Save the Children and the UN Global Compact with the aim that the business community not only respects, but also proactively supports children's rights. The launch was a gathering of 200 business professionals, children's advocates and academics for a day-long program of discussions and debates centered around the Principles.

Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon underlined the importance of children's rights in the business sphere and called on business leaders to embrace the Principles, reminding them that: “Children are an essential part of the environment in which businesses operate..., [and] businesses have an increasing responsibility to respect the rights of society's youngest members.”

Although there are many guidelines in place that address business
and human rights, a children's rights perspective has been missing in the business world and each of the event sponsors had a word to say about the importance of the Principles:

• UNICEF hoped that the Principles would fill the gap in business and human rights by effectively addressing children's rights.

• Save the Children reminded the audience that "not only had 600 adult representatives from business, government and civil society been consulted in drafting the Principles, feedback was sought and received from 2,000 children in 9 different countries. The Principles, they hoped, would be a practical way to address children's rights and serve as a 'hands-on tool that can help big and small companies to develop child rights efforts in their spheres of influence.'"

• UN Global Compact remarked "on the high level of innovation reflected in the Principles, which demand more than respect for rights and provide a guiding framework to meet the growing demand from businesses and investors for greater progress in children's rights."

More information is available at the Children's Rights Foundation Network.

Dr. Milovidov, whose own work as a lawyer and scholar includes a focus on children's rights law (see profile) commented that "The launch was a fantastic opportunity to get together with business leaders and NGO's to address the overlooked issue of children's rights in business" and that she personally felt that "it was a call to arms to be proactive in this area. However, the role of small and medium size businesses (SMB's) and academia were not addressed at the launch and perhaps, AGS will be able to assist in this area." Dr. Milovidov plans to offer a Children's Rights Law course in the fall.