Our advocacy work: in search of global solutions

Terre des Hommes defends the rights of children, and works for their voice to be heard in decisions that have an impact on them. The advocacy work of Terre des Hommes is deeply rooted in its field knowledge. We strive to ensure that information from a local level reaches a global level, so that international and European decisions really do improve the plight of those for whom they are made. Terre des Hommes also holds governments accountable for the promises they have made to children, and strives to generate positive change.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child constitutes the conceptual framework guiding the Terre des Hommes activities. It lays down the fundamental rights of all children without discrimination of any kind, and extends to them protection against all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse. The Convention guarantees children the right to be heard in decisions affecting them, and states that the best interests of the child shall always be a primary consideration.

Today, 46 million Asian children and 42 million African children aged between 6 and 11 do not attend school. Forty percent of Asian children and 33% of African children attending school – sometimes in classes of 60 or 70 pupils, and sometimes for only two hours a day – drop out prematurely without reaching the level of class 5, the minimum objective of primary education. As far as health is concerned, close to 20% of the world’s population does not have daily access to drinking water. One third of children under 5 in developing countries suffer from moderately or seriously retarded growth. These are just some of the many reasons why Terre des Hommes promotes the rights of children in European and international forums and collaborates in finding solutions.

Terre des Hommes carries out project and advocacy work in field such as:

Child Rights

Child trafficking

Economic exploitation of children

Child soldiers

Children affected by HIV/AIDS