Prove it matters.

www.proveitmattersnow.com

In 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment by adopting almost unanimously the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC), defining who is a child, and confirming their unique rights and
special needs. Despite the nearly universal ratification of the CRC and the tireless efforts of the child
protection community, children continue to be the silent, and often invisible, victims of war,
subjected to unspeakable atrocities. Comparatively, the most recent report of the Secretary-General
on Children and Armed Conflict has shown that 2023, was the most deadly and harmful year for
children caught in situations of armed conflict in the last twenty years. This stark truth demands
urgent action, and the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict
(OSRSG CAAC) is launching a new global campaign entitles ‘Prove It Matters’.

This campaign aims for children to become the advocate of their own rights and elevate their voices.
It also aims at reigniting the global consensus on child protection which first brought the CRC to life,
and mobilize Member States to take concrete action to protect and promote children’s rights, even
in the most challenging times and contexts of armed conflict. The campaign will be articulated
around two calls to action:

To Member States
Especially those on the Children and Armed
Conflict agenda, to publicly pledge their
commitment to the CRC and take
immediate, concrete measures to safeguard
children’s rights to life, health, education, and to a
safe future. The website dedicated to
the campaign highlights countries that have shared their recommitments (www.proveitmattersnow.com)

To children worldwide
Particularly those affected by conflict, to participate
in a child participatory initiative symbolized by the
dissemination of messages of peace in and
through origami doves that they will create and
share with my Office. An art piece will be created
with all the origami doves collected and will be
displayed at the United Nations in New York in the
second year of the campaign. This activity aims at
engaging children creatively in a global movement
but also at initiating discussions with children, about
peace and about their rights. An info pack dedicated for this activity is available on the website dedicated to the campaign.

This campaign is being implemented with a wide range of partners from UN agencies and Civil Society Organizations and is supported by Champions.

For more info, visit: www.proveitmattersnow.com or contact proveitmatters@un.org