The signature on Krishna Chari’s email reads, “RATIFY the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).” Chari is pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and is one of many students who feels passionately about a recent initiative at The Chicago School.

Fyeqa Sheikh collects signatures for the campaign.

Last November, The Chicago School officially launched an academic partnership with the U.S. campaign to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) through the school’s Center for International Studies (CIS). The CRC is the first legally binding human rights treaty created by the United Nations to specifically promote and protect children worldwide. At this time, the United States and Somalia are the only members of the United Nations who have yet to ratify the treaty.

Dr. Nancy Dubrow, associate professor and director of the CIS, and Lori Ryan, a CIS postdoctoral fellow, are spearheading The Chicago School’s partnership with the campaign. Chari has been assisting them with their efforts from the beginning, and has seen the excitement and support for the movement grow within The Chicago School community.

“Throughout the course of the campaign, we have involved over 250 students and faculty who have dedicated their support to the campaign through letters to their senator and participation in workshops,” says Chari. “I think this shows that The Chicago School community as a whole is excited about the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children who need it most.”

Dr. Dubrow hopes that The Chicago School’s involvement with the campaign extends beyond this particular project and into students’ future career paths.

“The bigger picture—the longer goal—is to teach students about advocacy, but also educate them for the future,” says Dr. Dubrow. “If they’re working in clinics, hospitals, or other settings and there is a problem with human rights or the juvenile justice system, they have the education to be able to act on that and advocate.”

From Chari’s perspective, the Children’s Rights Campaign is doing just that.