The Children's Rights and Business Principles are intended to guide and encourage businesses to respect and support children's rights as part of their activities in the workplace, marketplace and community.
Launched in 2012, the Principles were initiated in 2010 in response to a call from the UN for companies to address the rights of children. UNICEF, Save the Children, and the UN Global Compact worked with businesses, civil society and children around the world in their design and implementation.
Canada is one of more than 30 countries that have launched the principles.
The ten Children's Rights and Business Principles call on businesses to consider how their activities and business relationships affect boys and girls. Specifically, all businesses should:
- Meet their responsibility to respect children's rights and commit to supporting the human rights of children.
- Contribute to the elimination of child labour, including in all business activities and business relationships.
- Provide decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers.
- Ensure the protection and safety of children in all business activities and facilities.
- Ensure that products and services are safe, and seek to support children's rights through them.
- Use marketing and advertising that respect and support children's rights.
- Respect and support children's rights in relation to the environment and to land acquisition and use.
- Respect and support children's rights in security arrangements.
- Help protect children affected by emergencies.
- Reinforce community and government efforts to protect and fulfill children's rights.
For more information visit Children's Rights and Business Principles.
