About us
Who we are
Defence for Children International is a leading child rights-focused and membership-based grassroots movement founded in 1979.
Our mandate is to ensure effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the local, national, and international level.
Our vision is that children can enjoy their human rights with dignity, in a just and responsible society. In all that we do, we aspire to work in a transparent, accountable, sustainable, and socially transformative way.
Where we work
Worldwide
Our board structure
The International Executive Council is DCI’s governing authority. It is composed of eight members from the National Sections elected every four years during the General Assembly. They meet up to four times per year to steer the implementation of the Strategic Framework of the Movement.
An International General Assembly open to all National Sections is organised every four years to discuss and adopt the Movement’s Strategic Framework.
The International Secretariat (IS) acts as operational coordinator and focal point for the National Sections. The IS engages with the relevant human rights mechanisms based in Geneva, including the UNCRC, the Human Rights Council, and other human rights bodies.
An Advisory Committee of renowned child rights and governance experts provides technical support to the DCI Movement.