“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is launching Justice Begins at Childhood, a global advocacy campaign dedicated to protecting children’s dignity, rights, and futures around the world.
Rooted in ADRA’s commitment to Justicia, compasión y amor, the campaign 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.
As a faith-based humanitarian organization, ADRA believes justice is more than fairness. It is the moral responsibility to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and given the opportunity to live as God intended. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to care for the most vulnerable, including the orphan, the poor, the stranger, and the child.
Today, millions of children around the world face poverty, conflict, displacement, and the loss of family support systems. According to UNICEF:
- More than 333 million children live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US$2.15 per day.
- More than 473 million children live in areas affected by armed conflict.
- More than 140 million children have lost at least one parent, and approximately 15 million children have lost both parents.
- Tens of millions of children have been displaced from their homes due to violence, conflict, and instability.
“For ADRA, justice begins with children,” says ADRA President Paulo Lopes. “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.”
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 Justice Begins at Childhood, ADRA seeks to raise awareness, inspire action, and mobilize support for children facing some of the world’s greatest challenges.
