They wield considerable power and influence, and can change the lives of thousands, maybe millions of children.
Those nominated to exalted positions within the world of child rights can make a massive difference.
But who are they? How are they chosen? And, most importantly, are they the best people for the job?

Today, CRIN is launching a campaign on this crucial issue.
Our aim? To stimulate open and transparent appointment processes in order to identify leaders with the appropriate commitment, skills and experience to work effectively for children’s rights.


WHO?

We have identified the following initial list of key global child rights positions, listed in order of their due date for renewal or reappointment.
The appointment process for these positions varies considerably.
To find out more about each, click on the relevant role:

The Executive Director of UNICEF (term expires early 2010) Members of the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (next elections Jul.
2010) Members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (next elections Dec.
2010) Rapporteur on Child Rights at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (term expires Dec.
2011) Special Representative to the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict (term expires 2012) Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence Against Children (term expires 2012) Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council including Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children, and Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (various)
The following international and regional appointments may also have huge implications for the rights of children, and so should reflect appropriate commitment, skills and experience: UN Secretary General (term expires 2012)
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (term expires 2012) Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (term expires 2011)
WHY?

CRIN has become increasingly involved in child rights governance issues.
We played an integral part in the recent campaign for the appointment of a Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence Against Children.
Together with the NGO Group for the CRC, we closely monitor, and report on, elections to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
We also maintain close contact with other key child rights positions.
We are aware of the critical importance of these roles, and the need to ensure that appointment procedures are open, rigorously scrutinised and focused on promoting and safeguarding children’s rights.


WHAT?

As the list above demonstrates, the first role up for renewal or reelection is that of Executive Director of UNICEF.
We intend to issue calls to action as further roles become vacant.
The different roles, and actions to be taken, are further explained below in chronological order.