Editorial

Every year on November 20, the world pauses to honour its most precious and vulnerable citizens—its children. World Children’s Day is not merely a symbolic observance; it is a reminder of a profound global commitment made through two landmark UN documents adopted on this very date: the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Together, these instruments established the universal principle that every child, regardless of nationality, gender, caste, or religion, has the inherent right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

Yet, decades later, these ideals remain far from fully realised. Across the world, millions of children still struggle against hunger, malnutrition, child labour, displacement, exploitation, and conflict. Digital harm, climate change, and widening inequalities create new threats that earlier generations never faced. Even as economies grow and technologies advance, the childhood of too many remains fragile and unprotected.

World Children’s Day reminds us that children are not just future citizens—they are citizens of today. They deserve safe homes, inclusive schools, access to healthcare, freedom from violence, and opportunities to dream. The responsibility lies equally with families, communities, governments, and global institutions. Policies must prioritise nutrition, education, mental health, and child safety both offline and online. Investments in children are investments in the stability, peace, and progress of nations.

This day also calls for listening to children’s voices. Empowering them to speak, participate, question, and shape decisions builds stronger democracies and more just societies. Their perspectives are fresh, honest, and filled with hope—qualities the world needs more than ever.

On World Children’s Day, let us renew our promise: that every child will grow in dignity, equality, and peace. Protecting childhood is not just a duty—it is humanity’s greatest responsibility.

The 26th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World, inaugurated in New Delhi and hosted by City Montessori School (CMS), Lucknow, once again demonstrated how a visionary educational institution can shape global dialogue. That a school—rather than a government body or international agency—has sustained such a monumental initiative for over a quarter century is both extraordinary and deeply inspiring. CMS has not merely organised a conference; it has nurtured an international movement rooted in Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, championing world peace, global governance reform, and the rights of over 2.5 billion children.

The leadership of Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, carrying forward the legacy of her late father, the legendary CMS founder Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, deserves unequivocal praise. Her stewardship reflects continuity, conviction, and a profound commitment to the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family. Under her guidance, CMS has transformed the conference into a prestigious global forum where Chief Justices, heads of state, jurists, and lawmakers engage with the moral urgency of building a safer world. Few schools globally can claim such a footprint in international diplomacy.

Yet, amidst the celebration, one absence stood out: that of India’s Chief Justice, Honourable B. R. Gavai . As the head of the Indian judiciary, his presence would have added weight and symbolic affirmation to India’s commitment to global judicial cooperation. While unavoidable constraints may have prevented his participation, the absence is notable, especially at a moment when India seeks greater influence in shaping international legal norms.

Nevertheless, the conference remains a testament to India’s civil society-driven global leadership. CMS continues to prove that transformative international engagement can emerge from the corridors of a school—when vision, values, and courage converge.

As the world converges on Johannesburg for the G20 Summit from November 21-23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to attend stands as a quiet rebuke to the gathering storm clouds of isolationism. With U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a boycott—citing alleged discrimination against South Africa’s white minority farmers— the summit risks becoming a litmus test for multilateralism’s fragility. Modi’s presence, confirmed just days ago, signals India’s resolve to champion the Global South amid superpower tantrums.

Trump’s rhetoric, echoing his first-term playbook, frames South Africa’s land reform policies as “genocide” against white Afrikaners—a charge dismissed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as “boycott politics” rooted in outdated colonial grievances. This isn’t mere diplomacy; it’s a crusade laced with domestic appeal, bolstering Trump’s MAGA base by weaponizing racial anxieties against a post-apartheid democracy. The U.S. snub, with even Vice President J.D. Vance sidelined, underscores a broader retreat: America’s selective engagement erodes the G20’s legitimacy, handing leverage to Beijing and Moscow.

For Modi, the calculus is sharper. India, fresh from its own G20 presidency in 2023, views South Africa’s helm—under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”—as a platform to amplify the African Union’s voice and fortify BRICS cohesion. Attending isn’t just protocol; it’s strategic defiance. By engaging Ramaphosa bilaterally and pushing climate finance for vulnerable nations, Modi can pivot from U.S. unilateralism toward a multipolar order where Delhi’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” ethos resonates. This move also hedges against Trump’s tariff threats, nurturing ties with resource-rich Africa.

Critics may decry it as performative amid domestic headwinds, but Modi’s Johannesburg sojourn embodies calculated multilateralism. In a summit shorn of American bluster, his voice could redefine equity—from debt relief to tech governance—proving that boycotts fracture alliances, while presence forges them. As Trump sulks, Modi’s attendance isn’t attendance; it’s agency.

• SAS Kirmani