Global Child Forum launches the Atlas, helping companies identify children’s rights risks across 194 countries

Global Child Forum today showcases the Children’s Rights and Business Atlas at a launch webinar featuring Orkla, The Centre for Child Rights and Business, and a live demonstration of the new geographical risk tool.

Global Child Forum is today presenting the Children’s Rights and Business Atlas, a geographical risk tool designed to help companies and investors identify where children’s rights risks are greatest across their operations, supply chains, markets and communities. 

The Atlas became publicly available on June 12, coinciding with the World Day Against Child Labour. Covering 194 countries, 11 children’s rights issues and 173 indicators, it provides country-by-country data to help businesses understand where risks are most acute—and where action is most urgently needed.  

“Companies need to understand not only what risks exist, but where they are most acute and how children are affected in each local context,” said Ekin Björstedt, Secretary General of Global Child Forum.

“The Atlas turns complex global data into a practical starting point for stronger due diligence. Today’s launch seminar focuses on the next step: how companies can use those insights to make better decisions and take meaningful action where it matters most.”

From global data to local action

Children’s rights risks can vary significantly between countries and regions. Yet companies managing global operations and supply chains have often lacked a dedicated and consistent tool for assessing those risks through a children’s rights lens. 

The Children’s Rights and Business Atlas is free to access and allows companies to identify and assess country-level risks across three principal areas: 

• Workplace: risks affecting children through business operations and supply chains, including child labour. 

• Marketplace: risks associated with products, services, marketing and digital environments, including product and online safety. 

• Community and Environment: risks connected to communities, climate change, pollution and other local impacts. 

The Atlas classifies 11 risk issues using 173 indicators and is grounded in the Children’s Rights and Business Principles and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It is designed to support companies and investors in risk identification, prioritisation and decision-making as part of their due diligence processes.  

The tool is particularly relevant for professionals working in human rights and sustainability, responsible sourcing, procurement, compliance, investment analysis, supply-chain management and corporate reporting. 

Launch webinar brings together business and children’s rights expertise

At today’s online launch seminar, Global Child Forum will introduce the Atlas and demonstrate how it can be used as part of the due diligence process. 

Orkla, one of the Nordic region’s leading consumer goods groups, will share practical insights into how risk data can support due diligence across complex global supply chains. 

The Centre for Child Rights and Business will provide an external perspective on translating children’s rights due diligence into practice, including how geographical risk information can be applied in complex local contexts. 

The webinar will also feature a live demonstration of the Atlas, followed by a question-and-answer session. The event takes place online from 14:00 to 15:00 CEST on June 16, 2026.  

Register here.

A continuing global challenge

The Atlas was made publicly available on the World Day Against Child Labour to underline the importance of reliable data in identifying and addressing risks to children. 

According to the latest estimates from the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF, nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including approximately 54 million children in hazardous work likely to endanger their health, safety or development.  

While child labour is one of the issues covered by the Atlas, the tool also assesses a wider range of risks affecting children, including online safety, product safety, access to essential services, environmental impacts and risks arising in local communities.  

Developed with leading global companies

The Children’s Rights and Business Atlas was developed in collaboration with: 

Grupo Arcor, Barilla Group, Orkla, Mondelēz International, The Hershey Company and Ferrero.

The Atlas is available free-of-charge, helping remove financial barriers to the information companies and investors need to understand and address their impacts on children. 

Access the Children’s Rights and Business Atlas:
Children’s Rights and Business Atlas 

Media enquiries

Linda Ravin Lodding
Head of Communications, Global Child Forum
Email: linda.lodding@globalchildforum.org

Global Child Forum is a Swedish non-profit foundation headquartered in Stockholm. We drive improvement for children by influencing companies and investors to integrate children’s rights into decision-making, reporting, and business practice. For more information, please visit: www.globalchildforum.org.