Reflections on My First 100 Days as Secretary General of Global Child Forum: A Call for Impact & Partnership

As I reflect on my first 100 days as Secretary General of Global Child Forum, I am filled with both pride and determination. Our mission—to drive systemic change and ensure that children’s rights are integrated into the fabric of global decision-making—has never felt more urgent or necessary.

Every day, I am inspired by the breadth of conversations I have had with a wide range of stakeholders: business leaders, financial sector, academics, civil society representatives, and, most importantly, children themselves. Each exchange has not only deepened my understanding of the challenges we face but has also reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration to create a better future for children everywhere.

One of the highlights of these early months was the privilege of hosting our Forum at the Royal Castle in Stockholm. It was an incredibly meaningful moment for all of us, bringing together key leaders from across sectors to engage in critical dialogues about children’s rights in a changing world.

The event was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with shared intent and purpose. I am immensely proud of how this Forum captured the essence of our mission and provided an inspiring platform for discussing both challenges and solutions. It was a testament to what we can achieve when business, government, and civil society unite for the wellbeing of children.

This year, we also had the opportunity to release our latest Benchmark Report, which has been a cornerstone of our efforts to assess and encourage corporate responsibility for children’s rights.

The report analyzes more than 1,800 of the world’s most influential companies, offering critical insights into how they are integrating child rights into their operations and value chains. The results are both encouraging and sobering. While we have seen notable progress in some sectors, there is still a significant gap between corporate responsibility and the impact these companies have on children’s lives.

The report clearly shows that children’s rights are too often an afterthought in corporate decision-making, despite the fact that businesses have the power to affect children in profound ways—whether through labour practices, environmental policies, or the products and services they offer.

This gap presents a major opportunity for change; one where Global Child Forum can be a driving force. By continuing to hold companies accountable, advocating for better practices, and providing the necessary tools for businesses to understand their responsibility, we can accelerate the integration of children’s rights across all sectors.

Over the past three months, I have come to see that business leaders have a critical role to play in driving this change. Their decisions impact not only the financial future of their companies but also the future of our children. We must work together to build a new paradigm where business success is not measured solely by profit but also by the positive impact it creates on the lives of children. This is not just about corporate social responsibility—it’s about embedding children’s rights in the very core of how businesses operate.

In my conversations with young people, I’ve been reminded of how central they are to our work. Their voices—often overlooked or undervalued—are the most important of all. We must listen to youth, understand their perspectives, and amplify their needs in every conversation about policy and practice.

It is only by ensuring that children are placed at the centre of business decisions and societal shifts that we can achieve real, lasting change.

The insights gained in these first 100 days have deepened my resolve to make Global Child Forum a true thought leader in the space of children’s rights and business responsibility.

We have the opportunity—and the obligation—to be a catalyst for systemic change. Together with our partners, we will continue to inspire business leaders to take bolder, more meaningful steps toward aligning their operations with the principles of children’s rights. The world we are working to create is one where business, civil society, and governments collaborate in service of children, where every child’s rights are upheld, and where business leaders recognise that their success is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the next generation.

As we move forward, I am committed to building on the momentum we’ve established and to pushing for greater accountability, stronger policies, and more impactful initiatives.

The work ahead is challenging, but the possibilities are immense. By staying true to our mission and by continuing to engage with the diverse stakeholders who share our vision, I am confident that we will achieve lasting change for children—ensuring that they are not just the beneficiaries of a better world but active participants in shaping it.