As an organisation of paediatricians, predicated on the health and welfare of children and young people, our members often expect us to speak out when children are at risk of significant harm from international crises. As a registered charity we can only do this without political commentary or judgement.
How RCPCH responds to international crises
The College maintains a commitment to human rights including child rights as set out in international humanitarian and human rights legislation, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Geneva Conventions.
RCPCH aims to advocate for the best interests of children and child health workers affected by crises while always refraining from political commentary or judgement.
There are multiple crises, including conflict situations, around the world that remain highly sensitive and can be viewed differently by groups of members. In those heavily contended situations, where facts are hard to establish, the time and resource demands placed on the College are significant.
When determining whether to take action, and in the context of finite resource, the College has a responsibility to consider the likelihood of meaningful positive impact with the potential to undermine our wider mission. In some situations, there will be other organisations who have the necessary capacity, expertise and knowledge, who are better placed to take action.
How we might respond
The College determines if and when to respond to international crises based on three principles:
- Mandate: The institutional remit of the College
- Opportunity: Whether the College has the skills, capabilities and influence to meaningfully engage and have impact
- Resource: Whether there is resource available to lead meaningful action, set against the other priorities determined by our members and our strategy
The College has robust governance processes in place to review our responses to international crises and ensure that decisions made are in accordance with the above principles. Namely the College’s President is supported by an Executive Committee of Senior Officers and senior staff as well as Council and the Board of Trustees.
Our response is guided by the parameters of our Charitable Objects. We can:
- Advocate, to mitigate harm to children, young people and healthcare workers
- Provide programmatic support where we already have active programmes of work to sustain people and systems providing care for children and young people in conflict zones
- Support members indirectly affected by the conflict
Background
In situations of armed conflict, adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law is of paramount importance. These legal frameworks are designed to safeguard the most vulnerable, even in times of crisis. Central among them is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), signed by 196 countries, which enshrines the principle that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all decisions affecting them. It further obliges states to ensure children's survival, protection, and development to their fullest potential, without discrimination.
The protection of health workers and medical infrastructure in areas affected by natural and man-made crises is equally critical. International law, including various UN Resolutions and the Geneva Conventions, mandates that healthcare personnel and facilities must be protected from attack and allowed to operate without obstruction. UN Security Council Resolution 2286 explicitly reinforces these protections. The RCPCH unequivocally condemns any party to conflict that targets or fails to protect healthcare services.
The safeguarding of children's rights, the security of health workers and the integrity of medical infrastructure are not only legal obligations, but moral imperatives. Respect for these principles is essential to upholding human dignity and ensuring the possibility of peace, recovery and future wellbeing for those affected by crises, including conflict.
Charitable Objects
Every charity is required to have a set of 'Objects' which are formally registered with the UK Charity Commission. These describe the charitable purposes for which an organisation has been set up.
The College’s Objects are:
- To advance the art and science of Paediatrics
- To raise the standard of medical care provided to children
- To educate and examine those concerned with the health of children
- To advance the education of the public (and in particular medical practitioners) in child health which means the protection of children, the prevention of illness and disease in children and safeguarding their optimal development
The Objects themselves are not explicit on geographical or territorial scope. In practice, however, the core activities of the RCPCH are based in the UK with a smaller proportion of our capacity transposed into applied to international work.
We have two distinct areas of international work: First, global humanitarian programmes with governmental and non-governmental local partners in low- and middle-income settings including Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, Nepal and Lebanon. Second, our examinations and training work that are available globally through test centres.
See links to our related position statements and updates on our RCPCH advocacy on international crises hub.