Faith and Children’s Rights

At Alliance for Rethinking Coalition (ARC), we believe that faith-based values and the rights of children are deeply interconnected. Across the world, families and religious communities are united by a shared desire: to ensure that every child is protected, nurtured, and given the chance to thrive.

From mosques to temples, churches to gurdwaras, communities of faith uphold the inherent dignity of every child. They seek to shelter children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They envision a future where children are not only cared for but are also empowered to participate in decisions that affect their lives — a future where children’s voices matter, and their rights are safeguarded with compassion and justice.

At Alliance for Rethinking Coalition (ARC), we believe that faith-based values and the rights of children are deeply interconnected. Across the world, families and religious communities are united by a shared desire: to ensure that every child is protected, nurtured, and given the chance to thrive.

From mosques to temples, churches to gurdwaras, communities of faith uphold the inherent dignity of every child. They seek to shelter children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They envision a future where children are not only cared for but are also empowered to participate in decisions that affect their lives — a future where children’s voices matter, and their rights are safeguarded with compassion and justice.

Building on global frameworks like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ARC promotes a multi-religious and cultural approach. Our mission is to foster interfaith collaboration that champions children’s rights — through education, health care, spiritual support, and protection — especially in places where these basic rights are most vulnerable.

ARC’s Vision and Role

As a coalition rooted in diversity, ARC works to create safe and inclusive spaces where faith leaders, child-rights advocates, educators, and policymakers can engage in meaningful dialogue. We aim to:

• Strengthen community-based responses to child protection.
• Equip religious communities with knowledge and tools to advocate for children’s rights.
• Encourage moral reflection rooted in faith traditions that emphasize dignity, compassion, and justice for every child.

We recognize that while legal instruments like the CRC are essential, lasting change also requires the active participation of local communities. Faith leaders hold influence and trust. When mobilized, they can be powerful agents of change, capable of transforming harmful social norms and uplifting the voices of children

Shared Values Across Religions

ARC affirms that the world’s major religions — including Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, and the Bahá’í Faith — all emphasize the sacredness of life, the dignity of children, and the importance of compassion, care, and responsibility.

From the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the compassion of Jesus Christ, from the values of dharma in Hinduism to the teachings of Guru Nanak, religious traditions are filled with guiding principles that resonate with the core values of children’s rights. These shared values create a bridge between religious beliefs and human rights frameworks, making room for joint advocacy and action.

Faith in Action for Children

ARC highlights and supports faith-based initiatives that provide essential services to children around the globe:

• Religious schools and community centers offering education and meals.
• Faith-inspired hospitals and clinics providing maternal and child health services.
• Temples, mosques, churches, and gurdwaras functioning as safe havens during times of crisis.

These real-world examples demonstrate that religious communities are already playing an active role in fulfilling children’s rights. ARC seeks to amplify these efforts and provide a unifying platform for collaboration.

Challenges and Call to Action

While we celebrate progress, we must also acknowledge the challenges:

• Discrimination against children based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.
• Resistance to change due to misinterpretations of religious teachings.
• Lack of resources and training for religious leaders to engage effectively in child protection work.

ARC calls on faith communities, civil society, and governments to deepen their partnerships, share best practices, and ensure that every child is protected not just in law, but in daily life. We must listen to children, engage with them, and uphold their dignity through both moral and legal frameworks.