Covenant for Honoring Children

Highlighting this for the Fourth of July. From here.

A COVENANT FOR HONORING CHILDREN by Raffi

We find these joys to be self evident:
That all children are created whole, endowed with innate
intelligence, with dignity and wonder, worthy of respect.

The embodiment of life, liberty and happiness,
children are original blessings,
here to learn their own song.

Every girl and boy is entitled
to love, to dream and belong to a loving "village."
And to pursue a life of purpose.

* * *

We affirm our duty
to nourish and nurture the young,
to honor their caring ideals as the heart of being human.

To recognize the early years as the foundation of life,
and to cherish the contribution of young children
to human evolution.

* * *

We commit ourselves to peaceful ways
and vow to keep from harm or neglect
these, our most vulnerable citizens.

As guardians of their prosperity
we honor the bountiful Earth
whose diversity sustains us.

Thus we pledge our love
for generations to come.

©1999 Homeland Publishing, a division of Troubadour Music Inc.
We encourage copy and distribution provided copyright notice is included.
All rights reserved.

Please see the rest of the covenant, equally important, at Raffi's Troubadour Foundation site.
Interview.
PS Remember children grow up to be adults. Substitute people (humans or person or we, whatever works) in the appropriate places, and you've got one powerful start to a progressive credo.