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About Us

The Child-Friendly Justice European Network (CFJ-EN) was officially launched in April 2019 by Defence for Children International Belgium (DCI-Belgium), as an informal Network. Its founding Members were the European Sections of Defence for Children International. In 2022, thanks to the financial support of the European Commission, through an Operating Grant, it was officially launched as a fully operational formal Network. Established through DCI-Belgium, which was created in 1991 under Belgian law with the aim of promoting children’s rights as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the idea to set up a European Network specialised on child friendly justice came as a direct response to the numerous observations and needs assessments made by various lead European organisations active in the field of child friendly justice.
 

Because there are no children's rights without child friendly justice, we, as child friendly justice experts, consider that it is necessary to adapt justice systems to the specifities of children, their particular needs and their vulnerabilities. Each of our members is already making a change in the field but we felt that it was essential to coordinate our actions across Europe to widen our impact and harmonise practices.

 

Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and in the Guidelines for a child friendly justice developed by the Council of Europe.

Working together as a network enables us to:

GATHER OUR FORCES & EXPERTISE

EXCHANGE OUR EXPERIENCES: INSPIRE & GET INSPIRED

COOPERATE ON LARGE-SCALE PROGRAMMES

As a joint force, our objective is to accelerate the concrete and effective adaptation of justice systems to children at local, national and European level

Our Vision

Justice systems should ensure the realisation of all children's rights. Our vision is grounded on principles and rights enshrined in international standards.

Girl with binoculars
Our Mission
Children playing together

Our Mission

When faced with the justice system, children are thrown into an intimidating world they often don’t understand. Our mission is to ensure that justice systems are adapted to children’s needs and specificities.

Our Members

Our Network is composed of 19 expert organisations acting and advocating for child friendly justice with one unique and strong voice across 17 European countries.

Hands holding each other
Salle de réunion

Our Governance

The General Assembly, Steering Committee, Operational Team and Children's Governance.

Our Partners

The CFJ-EN is a key partner of the European Union, the Council of Europe, ombuds institutions, the academic world, research centres, international organisations and other regional Networks.

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