Abstract

Over the last two decades, progress in the development of independent human rights institutions for children has been remarkable. Taking many forms - children's ombudspersons, human rights commissions or children's commissioners - these institutions share the unique role of facilitating governance processes for children, and have emerged as important actors for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The contribution offers a first comprehensive approach to this issue, giving the most relevant informations about their role and functions and focusing at the same time to the institutions at the local level.