Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in
 the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent
 dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of
 the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
 in the world, 

 Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in
 the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights
 and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have
 determined to promote social progress and better standards of
 life in larger freedom, 

 Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal
 Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants
 on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is
 entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without
 distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language,
 religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
 property, birth or other status, 

 Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
 United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to
 special care and assistance, 

 Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society
 and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all
 its members and particularly children, should be afforded the
 necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its
 responsibilities within the community, 

 Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious
 development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family
 environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and
 understanding, 

 Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an
 individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals
 proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in
 particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom,
 equality and solidarity, 

 Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the
 child has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of
 the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the
 Child adopted by the United Nations on 20 November 1959
 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in
 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in
 particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International Covenant on
 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article ten)
 and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized
 agencies and international organizations concerned with the
 welfare of children, 

 Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights
 of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental
 immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including
 appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth," 

 Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal
 Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children,
 with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption
 Nationally and Internationally; the United Nations Standard
 Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice ("The
 Beijing Rules"); and the Declaration on the Protection of Women
 and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict, 

 Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children
 living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and that such children
 need special consideration, 

 Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and
 cultural values of each people for the protection and harmonious
 development of the child, 

 Recognizing the importance of international cooperation for
 improving the living conditions of children in every country, in
 particular in the developing countries, 

 Have agreed as follows: