FAQ The Essentials What are children’s rights?

What are children’s rights?

Children’s rights, as defined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), encompass the fundamental freedoms and legal entitlements of individuals under 18. Adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989, the CRC is a globally recognised human rights treaty, ratified by nearly all countries except the United States (as of May 2024). It aims to ensure children are protected, respected, and able to develop their potential, free from discrimination. The CRC mandates that children have access to essential services like education and healthcare, and that their rights to participate in decisions affecting them are upheld, covering a broad spectrum of civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural domains.

Children’s rights are an integral part of the broader human rights framework, and businesses and investors have a crucial role to play in upholding and promoting these rights. By doing so, businesses can contribute to a more ethical and sustainable world while also mitigating various risks associated with non-compliance.

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Sean O’Shea

Head of Corporate Engagement

Sean works as our Head of Corporate Engagement. Prior to joining Global Child Forum, he worked at the Stockholm School of Economics as a Corporate Project Manager. Before moving to Stockholm in 2021, Sean worked as the Private Secretary to the Ambassador of Japan to the UK and earlier, as a Senior Parliamentary Assistant and Chief of Staff to several members of the UK Parliament. Sean has a degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Exeter. He joined Global Child Forum in September 2022.

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Nina Vollmer

Director Child Rights and Sustainability

As the organisation’s senior expert, Nina conducts research and supports companies on how to improve their understanding of, and impact on children’s lives. She develops and works with the tools and services that Global Child Forum offers, including the Business Academy, Scorecard Feedback service, guidance and best practices. Nina also supports with content creation for events and communications. With responsibility for the methodology behind the Corporate Sector and Children’s Rights Benchmark, Nina is the appointed spokesperson for benchmark activities, and regularly speaks at key events and conferences. Nina holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Lund University (Sweden), and has worked both nationally and internationally with human rights and development within the NGO sector.

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