Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights - Leiden University

🚨 Exciting Seminar ahead!!
The Child-Friendly Justice European Network (CFJ-EN) is a dynamic network of 36 organisations, academic institutions, and individual experts based in 21 European countries. This year, the CFJ-EN organised its 3rd Annual Seminar: “Climate Injustice for Children – How Climate Change Affects Children’s Access to Justice,” in partnership with Terre des hommes Foundation (Tdh), Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciencas Sociais (CICS NOVA), and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). It will look at how strategic climate litigation and enforcing children’s right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly can help guarantee their access to justice within the context of the climate. Some participants will be experts in climate issues, others in child rights. Additionally, we will have a group of young people from various European countries who have been actively advocating for climate justice within their respective countries. Do not miss the chance to foster dialogue and exchange knowledge on transforming justice systems to better meet the needs and rights of children.
The event will take place on October 10-11 in Brussels at the VUB - U Residency. Visit our website to learn more about the registration process and to see the list of this year's speakers!

Link of CFJ-EN: https://www.cfjnetwork.eu/
Link of the event: https://lnkd.in/eWnynh4t

The film screening of the Belgian Documentary « Planet B » followed by a discussion afterwards with the movie director Pieter Van Eecke and the young protagonist Bo Vanhoorickx serve as a prelude to our conference on climate change and children's rights, giving context and lived experience to the issues we are discussing at the seminar. The event will take place the 9th of October in Brussels at Cinema Aventure.

Visit the webpage of the cinema to watch the trailer and book your ticket: Cinéma Aventure (cinema-aventure.be)

Congratulations to the LL.M. Graduates of 2023/2024 🎓

We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible achievement of our students. Completing an LL.M. is no small feat - it is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and passion. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to each and every graduate! 🎉 🎉

To have a sneak peek of this remarkable day, have a look at our website:

Graduation Ceremony of the LL.M. Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights 2023-2024 Graduation Ceremony of the LL.M. Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights 2023-2024

In July 2024, after finishing the program and submitting her thesis, our wonderful student Justy Thomas embarked on an amazing journey to Geneva 🚀

With close to 1,800 applications from around the world, Justy was selected to be among the 53 students from 43 countries participating in the 62nd Edition of the Graduate Study Programme held at the Palais des Nations under the theme ‘Summit of the Future: Challenges and Opportunities’.

It is always extraordinary to see our Master of Laws unlocking new opportunities for our students! 💫 ✨

We are super proud of your achievements, Justy!

Another great encounter between our Programme Director and our Alumni around the world! 🌍 ✨
Last week, Prof. Ann Skelton met our Alumna Leoné Genis at the Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13 (1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention. The HCCH - Hague Conference on Private International Law co-hosted the Forum with the Government of South Africa and the University of Pretoria's Centre for Child Law.
It is always inspiring to see these interactions, which further strengthen our global network!
To learn more about the Forum, access: https://www.hcch.net/en/news-archive/details/?varevent=984

The UNICEF Student Team Leiden is looking for new Board members to serve for the year 2024-2025! See more information at the Instagram page: unicef_leiden

(*It is only possible to apply if you will be a student of Leiden University in the academic year of 2024-2025)

The academic year in our Programme is filled with great opportunities 🌟 💫
One example of this was the participation of or students Matheus Mendes, Paul Benedict Lee, and Rosa Calles in the "LGBTI* in European Laws and Beyond" programme at University Lumière Lyon 2, featuring lectures by Leiden University's Professor Kees Waaldijk. The students participated in this programme right after their trip to Geneva, and this opportunity allowed them to deepen their understanding of S*xual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and S*x Characteristics (SOGIESC) legal frameworks on the regional and international levels. Their participation contributes to the important efforts to intersect children’s rights with LGBTI* rights, promoting equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity within the human rights framework.

We are immensely proud of our students Matheus F. Andrade Mendes, Rosa S. Calles Contreras, Justy Thomas and Paul Benedict Lee, supervised by Philex T.L. YE, winners of the 3rd Edition of the Prize 'Junior Crystal Scales of Justice' Edition 2024.

'The Crystal Scales of Justice Prize is a European Prize to promote innovative practices contributing to the efficiency of justice, organized jointly by the CEPEJ and the Faculty of Law of Strasbourg'.

Junior European Crystal Scales of Justice Prize - European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) - www.coe.int The Crystal Scales of Justice Prize is a European Prize to promote innovative practices contributing to the efficiency of justice, organised jointly by the CEPEJ and the Faculty of Law of Strasbourg 

Hey all 😍
We are thrilled to announce that Matheus Mendes's blog article, written for the Child Protection course and selected as the best blog for 2024, is now published on the Leiden Law Blog!

Read his insightful work 'Reimagining Alternative Childcare in Haiti' at

Reimagining alternative childcare in Haiti Thinking about volunteering for an orphanage in Haiti? Make sure you think it through, as volunteers can inadvertently perpetuate the suffering they hope to alleviate. Instead, the country needs systemic change.

Last week, the students from the academic year 2023/2024 went to Geneva for a study trip! 🌎 🛬
During the visit, the students had the opportunity to visit the headquarters of prominent international organizations, such as Child Identity Protection (CHIP), Defence for Children International, Plan International, Child Rights Connect, and International Social Service (ISS). They also attended the 96th Session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child , and had the wonderful experience of presenting their child-friendly versions of OPIC Cases to Committee members!
The visit is a perfect ending for the course on Enforcement and Monitoring of Children’s Rights, and it is a unique opportunity for students to witness first-hand the interactions between States’ representatives and the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the implementation, successes, and challenges of making children’s rights a reality in practice. ⭐

Last week, Professor Skelton met with our Alumna Anne de Zeeuw Somer in Utrecht at the National Child Right Dialogue, an initiative of UNICEF Nederland, other children’s rights organizations, and the Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). This was an event in which children, policymakers from various departments, child’s rights organizations, and experts discussed the following up of the recommendations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child to the Netherlands.
Our Alumna Anne de Zeeuw was there as she currently works as an Advisor at the Department of Innovation, Science and Strategy at the Ministry of Justice and Security. Together with other colleagues, Anne de Zeeuw facilitates the implementation of a Children’s Rights Strategy within the Ministry by applying a method of a social design approach.
As we always say, it’s fantastic to find our students shining out there! 😍

Thai human rights lawyer Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate took time out from his hectic schedule of fighting for child human rights defenders in the Thai courts to talk to the Advanced Masters on International Children's Rights class this week!

The lecture this time was organized by our student Matheus Mendes, as part of our monthly meetings series.

Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate inspired us with his stories of using the law and child rights arguments in courts when he defends children charged with offences under the wide-ranging lese-majesty laws in Thailand. He pointed out how seemingly 'child-friendly' practices such as diversion and closed courts can be counterproductive, depending on the context. He demonstrated the use of international law at the national level - and back up, as he engages with special procedures and treaty bodies at the UN.

Thanks a lot for such an engaging session, Matheus and Akarachai! Moments like this reinforce our belief in the importance of our mission.

Thank you, Prof. Bruce Adamson, for your lecture in our Enforcement and Monitoring of Children's Rights course! Your experience not only enriched our understanding of how Children's Commissioners can involve children and young people in their work but also inspired us to delve deeper into the subject of Independent National Children's Rights Institutions! We truly appreciate the opportunity to have you with us one more time!

On February 26th, our students had the honor of engaging with Ms. Marijke Acket, Senior policy advisor Programmes, SOS Children's Villages Netherlands (SOS Kinderdorpen), in a thought-provoking guest lecture. Ms. Acket shared with us the incredible work being done by SOS in supporting children in alternative care settings. Ms. Acket's presentation offered our students invaluable insights into the innovative approaches SOS employs, always guided by the principles of necessity and suitability in alternative care.

We extend our sincerest gratitude to Ms. Marijke Acket for sharing her expertise and passion with our students.

⭐For those interested in our Master's Programme in Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights, join our Programme Director, Prof. Ann Skelton, on 22 March 2024, from 13:00 to 14:00 on Zoom.

During this event, you will meet Prof. Skelton, and she will give a mini-lecture on 'Climate change and intergenerational justice.' You will also have the opportunity to ask a former and current student about their experiences with the programme. Furthermore, programme coordinator Ms. Esther Uiterweerd will be present to answer questions concerning admission and application.

If that’s interesting to you, please register at the following link to receive the Zoom information:

Online Experience International Children's Rights (advanced LLM) Do you want to get a better understanding of what it's like to study the Advanced LLM International Children's Rights at Leiden University? Then join our online experience on 22 March 2024! Programme During this event you will meet Prof. Skelton and she will give a mini-lecture on…

🌟 Last week, we had the privilege of having Prof. Conor O'Mahony from University College Cork right here in Leiden. Together, we delved into the crucial topic of state interventions in child protection and children's rights. Prof. O'Mahony guided our students through the intricate balance between upholding the right to family life and ensuring children are safeguarded from all forms of violence.

🔍 Our discussions touched upon pressing questions about the
State’s role in protecting children within their homes and defining 'child abuse'. Are universal definitions possible, or do societal norms shape our understanding? How does our perception of child abuse impact the justification for state intervention to protect children within their families?

💬 Prof. O'Mahony's visit sparked enlightening conversations, deepening our students' insights into this complex issue. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Prof. O'Mahony for joining us in Leiden and sharing his expertise. Thank you for an insightful week!

Yesterday, as part of our monthly meetings, the students from the Advanced Master had the opportunity to attend an online lecture about ‘Child Witnesses in the Adversarial Justice System’. The session was organized by our student Saurabh Shashi Ashok and led by Dr Karen Muller. In an extremely didactic way, Dr. Muller shared her knowledge about how to work appropriately and sensitively with child witnesses. She delivered her presentation through illustrative examples, facilitating the student’s comprehension of how to best conduct child hearings.
A huge thank you to Saurabh and Dr. Karen Muller for their invaluable contribution to our programme. The class truly benefited from your expertise, and we are grateful for the time you took to enlighten us! 🌟

Today, our Programme Director, Prof. Ann Skelton, participated in an event organized by the City of Geneva, Save the Children International and the aimed at transferring the remains of Eglantyne Jebb from its current burial place to the ‘Cimetière des Rois’.
As Prof. Skelton highlighted in her speech, Eglantyne Jebb was a woman ahead of her time. In the context of the First World War, in 1919, she founded Save the Children and in 1924, Eglantyne presented the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the League of Nations. The Declaration was the first international instrument that explicitly acknowledged children’s rights.
Today’s event was just a glimpse of a series of commemorations that will take place this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of such a milestone for the rights of children worldwide.

We are proud of our alumna Ankita Talukdar who obtained a fellowship. The Justice Leila Seth Fellowship, offered by iProbono India, aims to inspire young lawyers to make a positive difference by addressing critical children's rights issues through litigation, advocacy, and research. This 18-month program provides an opportunity to be mentored by a team of exceptional lawyers and social workers, enabling engagement with grassroots-level children's rights concerns.

Ankita shared this kind comment with us: 'Participating in the Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Children's Rights has been an incredible experience that has allowed me to explore the interdisciplinary and cross-border impact of children's rights. I am immensely grateful to the team of esteemed mentors who have been a source of constant encouragement and inspiration in my journey. This program has reinforced my understanding that effective enforcement of children's rights primarily occurs at the domestic level. I firmly believe that this fellowship bridges the international perspectives gained from the LLM program with the practical application of child rights in my home country.'

Hi all 👋
We are thrilled to share the Special Edition of the International Social Service (ISS)/IRC Newsletter, which, in addition to a contribution by our Prof. Ann Skelton, has also received inputs from our incredible Alumni Chipo Mukoki and Sayeh Mohammadi.
Their expertise and insights are shining bright 🌟 , making us proud 🚀 🎉 👏

Available at:

iss-ssi.org

Kicking off 2024 with a throwback to a pivotal moment in December 2023! 🤩
These photos encapsulate a snapshot of the dedication and hard work of our dear students from the Class of 2023-2024. As part of the course ‘Child and Family Law in Private International Law’, students of our programme have the opportunity to thoroughly study the HCCH Conventions and to visit the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH in the Hague. Thank you very much, HCCH - Hague Conference on Private International Law, for being part of our course this year again! We are grateful for the strides made and excited about the journey ahead.
Wishing everyone a successful and fulfilling 2024!

Kaeko Yoshimoto, a 2022-2023 alumni, has been working in the Chamber as a Visiting Professional at the International Criminal Court for six months starting 1 November. She said, 'I work mainly on matters relating to child victims in a certain case and preparing documents for the Court. Given the ongoing wars around the world in which many children suffered serious harm, I feel it is important to reflect on the significance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which I learned during my year at the International Children's Rights program in Leiden law school, in my work at the ICC.'
We are proud of you Kaeko, you are the first alumni working for the ICC.

On behalf of the staff and programme management of the Master of Laws Programme Advanced Studies in International Children's Rights we wish you all a happy holiday season.

Applications for the Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights 2024/2025 are now welcome! Application deadline on 1 April 2024 for non-EU citizens and 15 May 2024 for EU/EEA citizens.
More information on our website:

International Children’s Rights (Advanced LL.M.) - Leiden University Leiden University’s Master of Laws in International Children’s Rights (LL.M.) looks at human rights laws for children from a comparative perspective.

Stay tuned at today’s Human Rights 75 High-level Event!
More about the agenda and registration to watch the debates online can be found here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/events/events/2023/human-rights-75-high-level-event
Prof. Ann Skelton will participate in the final roundtable on ‘The Future of Human Rights, the Environment and Climate.’

Human Rights 75 high-level event Download the Agenda [PDF] Register to watch the debates online

Last week proved to be an eventful period for our Programme Director, Prof. Ann Skelton, as she dedicated her time to COP28 UAE in Dubai in her role as the Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Engaging actively in numerous meetings and events, she fostered collaboration with key stakeholders, including UNICEF, NGOs, children and youth activists, as well as high-level representatives from various countries.

At the forefront of global dialogues, she immersed herself in discussions addressing pressing issues, such as ‘General Comment 26: How it can be a game-changer for COP Decisions & Child Rights’. Prof. Skelton's insights and perspectives undeniably enriched the conversations around children’s rights and the imperative climate agenda.

Join us tomorrow as our esteemed Programme Director, Prof. Ann Skelton, takes the stage at the COP28 Side Event Panel on 'Youth Climate Activism under Threat', an event hosted by the German government and co-organized with Human Rights Watch. Online broadcasting at:

Youth Climate Activism under Threat Dec 07, 2023 |

Within our program, student-led initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering intellectual growth. The November edition of our monthly meetings proved to be both enlightening and enriching. We were privileged to host Professor Kees Waaldijk, who shared profound insights on the 'international progress in sexual orientation law and the challenge of including the rights and interests of children.'
During this engaging session, students delved into critical topics such as 'the right to relate' and 'the right to come out.' Also, the conversation expanded to
encompass groundbreaking cases from the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, fostering a thorough comprehension of the legal intricacies at play.
These gatherings not only broaden our perspectives but also empower us to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing dialogue on children’s rights. Grateful for such impactful learning experiences within our vibrant community!

https://mailings.universiteitleiden.nl/t/d-4F933298B0A8885D2540EF23F30FEDED

See our latest newsletter, with a special SAVE THE DATE for an International Conference on access to justice for children at the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Third Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure (OPIC).

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Advanced LL.M. International Children's Rights Newsletter This newsletter is presented to you by the Master of Laws Programme: Advanced Studies in International Children's Rights, the UNICEF Chair in Children's Rights, and the Department of Child Law of Leiden Law School, advancing children's rights worldwide through education and research. 

Recently, Prof Ann Skelton met up with Sayeh Mohammadi at the 8th Meeting of the Special Commission on the Practical Operation of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the 1996 Child Protection Convention. Sayeh is currently working as an intern at the HCCH Permanent Bureau. It is always truly wonderful to cross paths with our alumni who are actively contributing to meaningful work around children's rights!

For the final session of the Course ‘Children in the Justice System’, the students of the Advanced Master in International Children's Rights had an excursion to a Police Station in Leiderdorp 👮‍♀‍ 🚔 . The students were welcomed by police detectives Ms. Tineke Weijman and Ms. Jaco Wijnbergen, who gave a workshop explaining their important work interviewing child victims and witnesses. Also, during the visit, students had the opportunity to visit a child-friendly interview and registration room specifically designed to conduct these interviews.