Lana and Karen Participate in the First Session of the IGWG on the New Optional Protocol to the CRC Convention

From 1-3 September 2025, the first session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) was held in Geneva to explore the possibility of a new Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This new instrument would focus on the rights to early childhood education, free pre-primary education, and free secondary education.

In line with the Human Rights Council Resolution that launched the process, five children were selected to represent the five regions of the world – among them, Karen and Lana from our Children’s Advisory Team. The children participated the whole session and contributed to the discussion in different ways.

Lana co-moderated a session that was both designed and implemented by the child representatives, highlighting meaningful child participation. On the opening day, she delivered a statement on behalf of the Children’s Advisory Team (CAT), and later provided closing remarks on the final day.  Karen also took part in the child-led session as a speaker, furthermore she delivered introductory remarks at the session focusing on girls’ access to education, and shared her closing remarks at the end of the meeting.

To learn more, read the OHCHR story on the child representatives and view the programme of work of the 1^st session of the IGWG here.