The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) launched a global advocacy campaign dedicated to protecting children’s dignity, rights, and futures around the world.

According to ADRA, the Justice Begins at Childhood campaign is rooted in their commitment to justice, compassion, and love. It highlights the urgent challenges facing millions of children and calls on individuals, churches, and communities to help create a future where every child can thrive.

UNICEF reports that more than 333 million children live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US$2.15 per day. More than 473 million children reside in areas affected by armed conflict, while over 140 million have lost at least one parent and more than 15 million have lost both parents. Additionally, tens of millions of children have been displaced from their homes due to violence, conflict, and instability.

“For ADRA, justice begins with children,” said Paulo Lopes, president of ADRA. “When children are denied safety, education, opportunity, or the chance to grow and thrive, justice has not been fulfilled. Protecting children is not only an act of compassion, it is a commitment to creating a more just world for future generations.”

The Justice Begins at Childhood campaign continues ADRA’s mission in supporting children in crisis. In October 2019, ADRA launched the global advocacy campaign Every Child. Everywhere. In School. The campaign acted as a call to world leaders to provide education to all children regardless of race, age, nationality, gender, religion, or origin.

Every Child. Everywhere. In School. sought to collect one million signatures by the end of 2020 through grassroots efforts in collaboration with the Adventist church, and petition world leaders to take action for children to receive quality education.

ADRA announced that they reached over 1.1 million signatures on July 29, 2020. The names of petitioners were taken to the highest levels of government to help advocate for children’s education. ADRA then created goals and resource kits tailored to each country’s education needs to help petitioners become active advocates.

Over the coming months, ADRA will share stories, videos, social media content, and opportunities for engagement that highlight how communities around the world are working to protect children, strengthen families, and create lasting change through the new campaign.

Through Justice Begins at Childhood, ADRA seeks to raise awareness, inspire action, and mobilize support for children facing some of the world's greatest challenges.

The original article was published on the ADRA International news site.