Child Rights Connect is a registered Swiss association. Its organs are the General Assembly, the Executive Committee, the International Secretariat and the Working Groups.
International Secretariat
Child Rights Connect’s International Secretariat is a multi-disciplinary team, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland. It carries out the network’s day-to-day activities, providing a solid and expert base for everything that the network undertakes.







Five year Strategic Plan 2020-2024
External evaluations of our work
With the support of our core donors, particularly the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), we regularly conduct external evaluations of our work, which assess the relevance, coherence, efficiency and effectiveness of our actions as well as the sustained impact of the results attained towards the realisation of children’s rights. The evaluations fulfill a strong learning objective as recommendations help to inform our current and future work.
“From small beginnings Child Rights Connect has become a highly respected organisation – as one interviewee noted ‘if Child Rights Connect did not exist, it would have to be invented’. The focus on the Human Rights Council as well as the CRC Committee has the potential to lead to a long-term positive impact on children’s rights…”
– Evaluation of the work of Child Rights Connect, 2015
“Without Child Rights Connect’s presence, the global civil society’s advocacy and influence on children’s rights and child rights mainstreaming would be hampered”.
“It is clear that Child Rights Connect has managed to influence institutional systems and practices of actors of central importance from a child rights perspective”.
“The establishment of the Children’s Advisory Team serves as a role model for other organisations”.
– Evaluation of the work of Child Rights Connect, 2022
Executive Committee
This committee has legal, policy and management responsibility for the network. It meets quarterly to provide the network with strategic direction and to supervise the work of the Secretariat and the thematic Working Groups. It is accountable to the General Assembly.








Patrons

The Child Rights Connect Children’s Advisory Team
Child Rights Connect’s Children’s Advisory Team (CAT) is a permanent structure within the organisation. It is a global Team of child advisors that are empowered as human rights defenders to shape and take forward activities on children’s rights, in line with our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.
General Assembly

This is where our member organisations come together each year to approve the network’s plans and activities and elect people to various key roles. Specific actions at the General Assembly include:
- Approving the strategies, plans and activity reports of the Executive Committee, the Secretariat and the thematic Working Groups
- Approving the budget, auditor and audited accounts
- Approving new members’ applications
- Electing the Executive Committee and President of the network.
Our Policies
Child Rights Connect is committed to realizing children’s rights around the globe. We acknowledge our duty to be as effective and efficient as possible, as well as to be transparent, accountable, and responsive to all our stakeholders, including children. Our top priority is to be and act as a child safe organisation.
Our organisational policies support and promote transparency and accountability at all levels of our organisation, including within our network, and help meet the expectations and rights of all our stakeholders, particularly of children.
Our key policies apply to members of our Network and Executive Committee (Board) and we ask them to sign that they have read and understand their related responsibilities, and commit to comply with these policies.
Our History
The landmarks for child rights includes key milestones in relation to the UN and CRC Committee’s work, child participation and Child Rights Connect
- 2020
First in-country CRC session
First in-country CRC session
March 2, 2020In March 2020, the Committee on the Rights of the Child held an historic extraordinary in-country/region session for the first time in the Treaty Bodies system in Apia, Samoa.
- 2020
All initial State reports submitted under the CRC
All initial State reports submitted under the CRC
January 31, 2020The CRC becomes the first Human Rights Treaty Body with no initial reports overdue!
- 2019
Child-friendly CRC Convention
Child-friendly CRC Convention
June 1, 2019 - 2019
OPSC implementation guidelines
OPSC implementation guidelines
January 1, 2019OPSC implementation guidelines focusing on the implementation
- 2018
Children’s Advisory Team for organizing the DGD
Children’s Advisory Team for organizing the DGD
January 1, 2018First collaboration of the CRC Committee with a Children’s Advisory Team to organize its DGD, composed of 21 children from all around the world
- 2018
First Adopted Views on individual communication
First Adopted Views on individual communication
January 1, 2018First Adopted Views on individual communication against Denmark during the 77th Session
- 2018
Report on first Inquiry Procedure against Chile
Report on first Inquiry Procedure against Chile
January 1, 2018 - 2018
Day of General Discussion on Children Human Rights Defenders & adoption of working methods for child participation
Day of General Discussion on Children Human Rights Defenders & adoption of working methods for child participation
January 1, 2018Day of General Discussion on protecting and empowering children as human rights defenders with unprecedented child participation and the adoption of Working methods for the participation of children in the days of general discussion of the CRC Committee
- 2016
Implemention of the SRP
Implemention of the SRP
September 10, 2016Committee started implementing the Simplified Reporting Procedure (SRP)
- 2016
First session webcasts
First session webcasts
January 1, 2016First UN live webcast of a session, during the CRC 73rd session
- 2014
Working methods for the participation of children in the CRC reporting process
Working methods for the participation of children in the CRC reporting process
January 1, 2014 - 2014
First joint General Comment CRC-CEDAW
First joint General Comment CRC-CEDAW
January 1, 2014 - 2013
First examination of a State report via video
First examination of a State report via video
January 1, 2013CRC Committee was the first treaty body to conduct the examination of a State party report via video for Tuvalu, 64th session
- 2013
The NGO group became Child Rights Connect
The NGO group became Child Rights Connect
January 1, 2013The NGO group became Child Rights Connect at the occasion of its 30th anniversary
- 2011
Adoption of the OPIC
Adoption of the OPIC
January 1, 2011Optional Protocol to the convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (OPIC) which allows children to submit complaints regarding violations of their rights and provides for an inquiry procedure for grave or systematic violation of child rights. Entered into force in 2014 first ratified by the States of Gabon and Thailand in 2012
- 2010
Establishment of a working group for an optional protocol on a communication procedure
Establishment of a working group for an optional protocol on a communication procedure
January 1, 2010Establishment of a working group for an optional protocol on a communication procedure by the Human Rights Council and following a proposal for a draft optional protocol from the government of Slovakia
- 2009
First annual day on the Rights of the Child at the Human Rights Council
First annual day on the Rights of the Child at the Human Rights Council
January 1, 2009First annual full-day meeting on the Rights of the Child at the Human Rights Council to discuss, negotiate and adopt a resolution about the specific theme or children’s rights in general (an Omnibus Resolution)
- 2009
Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
January 1, 2009Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children intended to enhance the implementation of the CRC regarding the protection and wellbeing of children who are deprived of parental care or who are at risk of being so
- 2009
General Comment on the right of the child to be heard
General Comment on the right of the child to be heard
January 1, 2009 - 2008
Special Representative on Violence against Children
Special Representative on Violence against Children
January 1, 2008Special Representative on Violence against Children established to promote the elimination of all forms of violence against children in all regions, promote and support the implementation of the recommendations of the study on violence, and identify and share good practices to prevent and respond to violence against children
- 2008
UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child
UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child
January 1, 2008UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child released after two years of field-testing. The Guidelines provided a formal mechanism to determine the best interests of the child as part of a comprehensive child protection system
- 2007
Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review – the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review – the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
January 1, 2007Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review – the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children reviewed the current situation faced by children in armed conflict including the impact of the changing nature of conflict, also highlighted priorities and the responses required for the next decade. A more in-depth publication, Children and Conflict in a Changing World was released in 2009
- 2006
UN Study on Violence against Children
UN Study on Violence against Children
January 1, 2006UN Study on Violence against Children by the appointment of the expert Mr. Paulo Pinheiro the first comprehensive global study conducted on all forms of violence against children, provided a global picture of violence against children and proposed recommendations to prevent and respond to this issue
- 2003
18 members in the CRC Committee
18 members in the CRC Committee
January 1, 2003First session with 18 members in the CRC Committee
- 2002
First children’s reports
First children’s reports
January 1, 2002First children’s reports submitted on Belgium and the United Kingdom
- 2002
UN General Assembly Special Session on Children
UN General Assembly Special Session on Children
January 1, 2002UN General Assembly Special Session on Children convened to review progress since the 1990 World Summit for Children. The General Assembly adopted of World Fit for Children which outlined four key priorities; promoting healthy lives, providing quality education for all, protecting children against abuse, exploitation and violence and combatting HIV/AIDS
- 2000
Millennium Summit and Declaration
Millennium Summit and Declaration
January 1, 2000Millennium Summit and Declaration which contained values, principles and objectives for the international agenda for the twenty-first century, and set out eight goals to be achieved by 2015 including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education and reducing child mortality
- 2000
Adoption of the OPSC
Adoption of the OPSC
January 1, 2000Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) which sets out specific acts that must be criminalized within the areas of sale of children for purposes of sexual exploitation, transfer of organs, forced labor, or adoption, as well as child prostitution and child pornography. Entered into Force in 2002
- 2000
Adoption of the OPAC
Adoption of the OPAC
January 1, 2000Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) which strengthens article 38 of the CRC by raising the minimum age of direct participation in hostilities from 15 to 18 and prohibiting anyone under 18 from being compulsorily recruited into the armed forces. Entered into Force in 2002
- 1999
First children’s meetings
First children’s meetings
January 1, 1999Child participation during pre-sessional working group meeting on India, one on Mali and the Netherlands
- 1999
Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour
Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour
January 1, 1999 - 1998
First presentation to the CRC Committee by children
First presentation to the CRC Committee by children
January 1, 1998First presentation to the CRC Committee by children delivered by a group of Japanese students during an open meeting (including the media) during the lunch break
- 1998
Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
January 1, 1998Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor (ILO 182) adopted by the General Conference for the International Labor Organisation, which defines which situations should be classified as the worst forms of child labor and specifies what governments must do to prohibit and eliminate them
- 1997
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
January 1, 1997Creation of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and appointment of Mr. Olara Otunnu as the first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, mandated to promote the protection, rights and welfare of children at every phase of conflict
- 1997
International Conference on Child Labor
International Conference on Child Labor
January 1, 1997International Conference on Child Labor in Oslo during which a global agenda for eliminating the worst forms of hazardous and exploitative employment of children was adopted and a global strategy for eliminating the most intolerable or extreme forms of child labor was proposed
- 1996
Guidelines on periodic reports
Guidelines on periodic reports
January 1, 1996 - 1996
Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
January 1, 1996Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children by the appointed expert Ms. Graca Machel, which described the impact of armed conflict on children and included a number of concrete recommendations for the protection of children in armed conflict
- 1996
First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
January 1, 1996First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children convened in Stockholm, with the participation of a broad range of stakeholders including governments, NGOs, and children. It adopted the Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action, tools for mobilizing and monitoring action to protect children from sexual exploitation
- 1994
First participation of children in a written submission
First participation of children in a written submission
January 1, 1994The first experience with children participating in a written submission
- 1994
The Committee established that NGOs may participate in the CRC pre-session
The Committee established that NGOs may participate in the CRC pre-session
January 1, 1994The Committee established that the working group may invite representatives from non-governmental organizations to attend the pre-sessional working group meeting to provide information at its 7th session
- 1994
First comprehensive alternative report
First comprehensive alternative report
January 1, 1994First comprehensive alternative report submitted to the CRC Committee by the national coalition the Child Rights Development Unit to inform the consideration of the initial report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which took place in January 1995
- 1994
UNHCR Guidelines on Protection and Care on Refugee Children
UNHCR Guidelines on Protection and Care on Refugee Children
January 1, 1994UNHCR Guidelines on Protection and Care on Refugee Children for UNHCR’s staff and partners on refugee children that combined the concept of children’s rights with UNHCR’s efforts to protect and assist refugee children
- 1993
First examination of State party reports and first concluding observations
First examination of State party reports and first concluding observations
January 1, 1993First examination by the CRC Committee of the State party reports and first concluding observations for Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Egypt, Russian Federation, Sudan, Sweden, Viet Nam
- 1993
First participation of NGOs in pre-sessions
First participation of NGOs in pre-sessions
January 1, 1993First participation of NGOs in the pre-sessional working group meeting in order to present information on the situation of children in their country, to assist the CRC Committee to set priorities and identify key issues for discussion with the government
- 1993
Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption
Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption
January 1, 1993Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption by the Hague Conference on Private International Law, which protects children and their families against the risks of illegal, irregular, premature or ill-prepared adoptions abroad, and reinforces Article 21 of the CRC as it seeks to ensure that inter-country adoptions are made in the best of interests of the child
- 1993
World Conference on Human Rights
World Conference on Human Rights
January 1, 1993World Conference on Human Rights with unprecedented participation of governments and NGOs, and the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action for strengthening human rights work around the world. The declaration included a section on the rights of the child, which called for the universal ratification of the CRC Convention and supported the proposal that the Secretary General initiate a study on the protection of children in armed conflicts
- 1992
First Day of General Discussion
First Day of General Discussion
January 1, 1992First General Day of Discussion of the CRC Committee dedicated to children in armed conflict, followed-up by a preliminary draft of an optional protocol to the Convention which would raise the age of recruitment into the armed forces to 18
- 1992
Rio Conference
Rio Conference
January 1, 1992UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Conference) which adopted Agenda 21, a wide-ranging blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development, and required that children’s interests be taken into account
- 1992
First regional meeting of national child rights coalitions
First regional meeting of national child rights coalitions
January 1, 1992First regional meeting of national child rights coalitions held in Lima, Peru to strengthen the child rights movement and focused on monitoring the CRC at national level, followed by Western Europe
- 1992
First State Party reports and first written comments by NGOs
First State Party reports and first written comments by NGOs
January 1, 1992First State Party reports and the first written comments by NGOs submitted to the CRC Committee for Sweden and Bolivia
- 1991
Formation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Formation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
January 1, 1991First election of 10 members of the CRC Committee by States Parties, who adopted guidelines regarding the form and content of initial reports at its first session
- 1991
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
January 1, 1991Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography appointed by the Commission on Human Rights to consider matters relating to the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, including the problem of adoption of children for commercial purposes
- 1990
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
January 1, 1990African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child adopted by the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union), entered into force in 1999
- 1990
World Summit for Children
World Summit for Children
January 1, 1990World Summit for Children with 27 measurable goals set in the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children
- 1990
UN Rules for Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
UN Rules for Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
January 1, 1990UN Rules for Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty reaffirming the Beijing Rules and emphasizing that imprisonment of juveniles should be a last resort and for the shortest possible amount of time
- 1990
Riyadh Guidelines
Riyadh Guidelines
January 1, 1990UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (Riyadh Guidelines) focused on the prevention of juvenile delinquency as well as protection measures for children who are at risk
- 1989
Adoption of the CRC Convention
Adoption of the CRC Convention
November 20, 1989The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most comprehensive document on the rights of children, was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly and opened for signature on 20 November, recognizing for the first time children as rights holders in an international treaty. The Convention entered into force in 1990.
- 1985
The Beijing Rules
The Beijing Rules
January 1, 1985UN Standard Minimum Rules of the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) which set the minimum conditions for the treatment of children who are in conflict with the law and emphasize that imprisonment should only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest time possible
- 1983
Formation of the Ad Hoc NGO Group for the drafting of the UNCRC
Formation of the Ad Hoc NGO Group for the drafting of the UNCRC
January 1, 1983Formation of the Ad Hoc NGO Group with over twenty NGOs to better influence the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Group would meet to analyze the articles of the Convention and submit changes or the inclusion of new articles to the Working Group. The Ad Hoc NGO Group became the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, and Child Rights Connect in 2013
- 1979
International Year of the Child
International Year of the Child
January 1, 1979International Year of the Child to provide a framework for advocacy on behalf of children and to promote recognition that programs for children should be a fundamental part of economic and social development plans
- 1979
Working Group on a draft CRC Convention
Working Group on a draft CRC Convention
January 1, 1979Working Group on a draft convention on the rights of the child established by the Commission on Human Rights, open to all members of the UN, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations with consultative status, following a proposal submitted by the government of Poland
- 1959
Declaration of the Rights of the Child
Since 1983, we have influenced major child rights developments such as the drafting of the UN treaties on child rights.
We continue to play a central role in key children’s rights developments at international level, including the drafting of all the UN treaties on children’s rights. Our Secretariat is considered a leading expert on the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Child Rights Connect was initially set up in 1983 as the Ad Hoc NGO Group for the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Its initial mandate was to influence the drafting of the CRC, the first and most comprehensive international human rights treaty for children. Since then, we have worked to connect UN human rights systems to the daily realities of children’s lives.
To reflect our work, which now extends beyond the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we changed our name to Child Rights Connect in 2013. As a network, Child Rights Connect has members at national, regional, and international levels, including other networks and child-led organisations. We work closely with national NGOs and coalitions, UN agencies and experts, States, and children themselves, to advance children’s rights around the world.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, we have a unique working relationship with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. We also have special ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations, meaning that we are fully recognised to take part in United Nations deliberations.
Testimonials
“In 2016, our strategic partnership with Child Rights Connect reached an even higher level, opening strategic awareness about children’s human rights throughout the work of the United Nations human rights system.”
“Child Rights Connect is a very valuable partner of the Committee. They facilitate our interaction with children and with civil society, which helps us to get additional first-hand information from the ground.“
“Child Rights Connect is our key partner to link children’s rights defenders from around the world. In 2016 we jointly tackled the new simplified reporting procedures. We are looking forward to continuing this discussion with a focus on the participation of children themselves.”
“Thank you very much for all the support by Child rights connect team for us to attend the CRC pre-session. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to be there for the session and present children’s realities in Sri Lanka to the committee directly. The post de-brief was really helpful to identify the way forward and will share the SWOT analysis with other CSOs soon.”
“We would like to thank you all for the support that you gave to the Lesotho CSOs delegation that attended the 78th UN-CRC Pre-session in Geneva, beginning of this month. The Pre-session went really well and it was a great opportunity for the Lesotho child rights CSOs to learn more about the importance of implementing the UN-CRC and reporting on its implementation. Even though the time was very limited, the team was able to address most of the questions and issues raised by the Committee and made a commitment to provide additional information as required by the Committee.”
“Child Rights Connect facilitated a dynamic and high quality workshop on how to advocate for issues related to childhood statelessness at the UN level. It was highly useful for our members and partners to understand the links between their issues and children’s rights.”
“Our participation in the review of Mauritius by the Children’s Rights Committee had a positive effect on the follow-up. NGOs and the state cooperated in concrete actions. As a collective we have more weight, we are united for the same cause, and this is in the best interest of children in Mauritius.”
“The support we have received in the whole process has been excellent and we would be happy to repeat the same experience with other countries”