Children waking up in Scotland today will have a louder voice than when they went to bed last night.

At one minute past midnight, as they slept, their lives became safer and their futures more secure as Scotland became the first UK nation to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Across our public life and legal system, this declaration of fundamental rights has potential to be transformative with every young Scot now entitled to a safe, secure childhood.

It means every child, from every postcode, will have the same guaranteed right to education, health care and a life free of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The international charter - already implemented in 196 countries around the world - will throw a protective arm around some of our........

© Herald Scotland