International Year of the Child.

  • Author: UN General Assembly (32nd sess. : 1977)
  • Document source:
    UN General Assembly
  • Date:
    15 December 1977
UN General Assembly (32nd sess. : 1977), International Year of the Child., A/RES/32/109, UN General Assembly, 15 December 1977, https://www.refworld.org/legal/resolution/unga/1977/en/9747 [accessed 10 November 2025]
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32. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE
109. International Year of the Child

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 2626 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 containing the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade, 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI) of 1 May 1974 containing the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, 3281 (XXIX) of 12 December 1974 containing the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, and 3362 (S-VII) of 16 September 1975 on development and international economic co-operation, as well as Economic and Social Council resolution 2105 (LXIII) of 3 August 1977, Recalling its resolution 31/169 of 21 December 1976, in which it proclaimed the year 1979 International Year of the Child, with the following general objectives:

(a) To provide a framework for advocacy on behalf of children and for enhancing the awareness of the special needs of children on the part of decision-makers and the public,

(b) To promote recognition of the fact that programmes for children should be an integral part of economic and social development plans with a view to achieving, in both the long term and the short term, sustained activities for the benefit of children at the national and international levels,

Believing that the concept of basic services for children is a vital component of social and economic development, Recognizing the fundamental importance in all countries, developing and industrialized, of programmes benefiting children not only for their well-being but also as part of broader efforts to accelerate the economic and social process, Having considered the report of the Executive Director of the United nations Children's Fund on the preparations for the International Year of the Child and the level of contributions to the financing of these activities,[1]

1. Commends the Executive Director and staff of the United Nations Children's Fund for the preparatory work which has laid the foundation for a successful International Year of the Child and, in this regard, welcomes the appointment of the Special Representative for the Year;

2. Notes with satisfaction the co-ordination being achieved through the use of the Interagency Advisory Group for the International Year of the Child, composed of representatives of concerned organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organization;

3. Reaffirms that the major focus of the International Year of the Child is at the national level, but that this should be supported by regional and international co-operation;

4. Expresses its gratitude to Governments that have contributed thus far to the administrative costs of the International Year of the Child and appeals to all Governments to contribute to its financing;

5. Requests all United Nations bodies concerned, including the specialized agencies, to keep the United nations Children's Fund informed of their respective programmes for the International Year of the Child and, in this regard, requests the Fund, as the lead agency, to prepare a report for the General Assembly at its thirty-third session on the activities being under-taken in the United Nations system;

6. Stresses the importance of the active participation of non-governmental organizations and the public, at both the international and national levels, in support of the International year of the Child;

7. Invites Governments to inform the United Nations Children's Fund on activities undertaken in their country to promote the objectives of the International Year of the Child;

8. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the United Nations Children's Fund, to publicize the International Year of the Child and its aims and objectives in both developing and developed countries;

9. Decides to consider further the preparations for the International year of the Child at its thirty-third session and to observe the Year by holding a special debate in plenary meeting on the situation of children in the world at its thirty-fourth session;

10. Expresses the hope that Governments, non-governmental organizations and the public will respond generously with contributions to attain the objectives of the International Year of the Child and, through the United Nations Children's Fund and other channels of external aid, to increase substantially the resources available for services benefiting children.

103rd plenary meeting
15 December 1977
[1] E/6010.
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