A growing international consensus exists that societies have an obligation to promote and protect children's rights to survival, protection, participation, and development. These three essays consider UNICEF's role in implementing the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. "The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: More Than a New Utopia?" discusses obstacles to the effective implementation of the Convention, urging UNICEF and other organizations to take up the challenge of meeting the goals of the Convention. Three ways the Convention can be used to good effect are discussed, and four practical steps from the field of development or social planning for implementation of the Convention are identified. "Reflections on Indicators Concerning the Rights of the Child" discusses indicators that measure human rights performance relating to children in developing countries. Two initiatives of UNICEF's International Child Development Centre in Florence, Italy, are described, and types of indicators and reporting and monitoring processes are considered. "Children's Rights: Opportunities, Dilemmas and Pitfalls Facing UNICEF and Its Partners" suggests that UNICEF must strengthen its capacity to play a more active role in implementing the Convention. How this role is likely to involve UNICEF in controversial and politically sensitive issues is discussed, as are the negotiating, political, technical, and hands-on skills UNICEF must acquire to meet this challenge. (TM)