Children experience specific and additional challenges and violations when acting as human rights defenders because of their status in society "Children are already human rights defenders, with the same rights as adults. We must recognize their vital role and the obligation of States to protect their rights", emphasized the Chairperson [...]
In a context of growing anti-child rights rhetoric globally, on 26 May 2023, more than 200 children, including many of our child advisors, as well as child rights experts and practitioners (among whom around 74% of girls and women) gathered in Geneva or online as part of our 40th anniversary [...]
On 25 May 2023, members and observers of our Network convened for the annual statutory meeting of our General Assembly, which constituted this year a special moment as our organisation celebrates its 40 years of existence! Close to 50 representatives from local, national, regional and international child rights organisations gathered [...]
Following the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations in June 2020, the Secretary-General was requested to address both current and future challenges. He responded with a wake-up call, enshrined in his report Our Common Agenda, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. This report requests [...]
Historic exclusion of children in decision-making and persistent pushback on child participation Children have historically been excluded from discussions and decision-making at all levels, including from international policy debates on matters that directly affect them. Yet, the escalating environmental crisis, rising inequalities, and migration crisis, among others, have a heavy [...]
In 18 months, leaders from around the world will gather to sign a “Pact for the Future” and commit to a new vision to address emerging challenges, including those posed by new technologies. As part of this process, a Global Digital Compact will set out how States and other stakeholders [...]
At the opening of the 93rd CRC session, Child Rights Connect delivered a statement on behalf of its network: Distinguished members of the Committee, representatives of UN agencies, ladies and gentlemen, I take this opportunity to welcome the newly elected and re-elected members of the Committee. The Child Rights Connect [...]
In the Our Common Agenda, under the key proposal to “Upgrade the United Nations”, the UN Secretary-General decided to establish a High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism (HLAB) to identify concrete recommendations ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Future to improve international cooperation through effective multilateralism. In 2022, the [...]
The 2023 HRC Annual Day on the Rights of the Child had the highest number of child participants in the history of this event ensuring that discussions on the digital world include children’s views and experiences. On 10 March, this year’s Annual Day of the Rights of the Child at [...]
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. On 15 March 2023, the Human Rights Council hosted the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, where she presented her report “Success through perseverance and solidarity: 25 years [...]
