INTRODUCTION

As the world's sole superpower and one of only two countries that has not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the United States holds a unique position in the children's rights movement. It is arguably best positioned of any country to ensure the rights and well-being of children globally, yet it has not supported – and at times has hindered the effectiveness of – the most important tool for the child rights movement: the CRC. Today, policy makers and child advocates have arrived at a pivotal juncture in the children's rights movement, and a central consideration is the U.S. government's role in advancing children's rights at home and abroad.

On November 20, 2009, the international community celebrated the CRC's twentieth anniversary. In its first twenty years, the CRC achieved many milestones, becoming the most widely ratified human rights treaty (every country except the United States and Somalia is a party) and fostering positive changes in law, policy, and attitudes toward children in numerous countries. Although these achievements merit celebration, the convergence of several key developments makes this period not just one of celebration but also a critical juncture for children's rights and the U.S. government.

This chapter examines these recent developments and explicates their meaning for children's rights. The chapter argues, in particular, that these developments have created a pivotal moment for children and their rights, and that, without concerted action, this moment risks passing unnoticed to the detriment of millions of children.