The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) has joined other civil society organisations in signing the petition initiated by Child Rights Connect, calling on the United Nations to ensure that the UN80 reform process and current budget crisis do not undermine the protection and promotion of children’s rights.
The petition raises concern over the cancellation of meetings of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child due to the UN liquidity crisis and urges UN leadership to guarantee that efficiency measures do not come at the expense of children’s rights. It also calls for safeguarding the mandates and resources of key bodies such as the CRC Committee, OHCHR, UNICEF, and the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children and on Children and Armed Conflict.
“Through my collaboration with UNICEF Zambia, I see every day how essential it is for the United Nations to sustain strong commitments and capacities to protect and support children,” said Joachim Mumba, IFSW President. “Reforms are necessary, but they must never come at the expense of the most vulnerable. Instead, they should strengthen the UN system’s ability to advance eco-social justice, so that children, communities, and the natural environment can thrive together in a spirit of inclusivity and intergenerational solidarity.”
Pascal Rudin, IFSW Interim Secretary-General, added: “For decades, IFSW has been advocating for children’s rights at the United Nations. Signing this petition is a clear affirmation of our commitment to children as rights-holders. At the same time, we emphasise the need for transparent consultations, impact assessments, and future-oriented reforms that integrate children’s rights across all UN pillars. This vision is grounded in the People’s Charter for an Eco-Social World, which calls for transformative change towards balance, sustainability, and shared wellbeing”.
IFSW therefore supports both the immediate call to safeguard children’s rights and the broader opportunity of the UN80 process to build a United Nations that is eco-social, justice-driven, and future-oriented. Social workers across the world bring unique expertise in strengthening communities, advancing social justice, and ensuring that no one is left behind. This knowledge makes IFSW an important ally to the UN in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and in ensuring that reforms do not dilute, but rather enhance, the UN’s role in advancing eco-social justice and collective flourishing.
Anchored in the vision of the People’s Charter for an Eco-Social World, IFSW advocates for reforms that embody intergenerational solidarity, participatory governance, and holistic responses to today’s global challenges. We believe that the UN80 reforms should not only protect existing human rights commitments but also create pathways for innovation and co-learning, so that the United Nations emerges stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient for future generations.