Introduction

World Summit: Follow-up actions

Independent offices to monitor, promote and protect children's rights

Over the past decade, a number of countries have established national institutions for children. In some cases, existing offices were asked to adopt a stronger child focus. In others, independent offices were created to promote and monitor progress towards the realization of goals for children and child rights - from ombudspersons to child rights commissioners.

During the 1990s, ombudspersons were established in at least 40 countries and have gained a particular relevance as spokespersons for children, advocating for the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in all decisions affecting them. Today, the highest concentration of these spokespersons is found in Europe, but many examples exist in other regions, including in Costa Rica and Tunisia. More assessments are needed of the work carried out by such independent institutions, to shed light on the difference they can make to children's lives and to inform the establishment of new ones. Standards for such institutions could usefully be developed, building on the Paris Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions adopted by the General Assembly in 1993.

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