Vision:

A society in which children are valued, nurtured and protected; their rights are realised; and in which they are able to participate, develop and reach their full potential.

Mission:

We are an applied research unit, proactively engaged in addressing the challenges facing children in South Africa through interdisciplinary and child-centred research, advocacy and education. We combine the rigour of academic enquiry and the energy of civil society activism to explore the tensions between policy, practice and children lived realities; and to promote the design and implementation of policies, laws and services that enable all children to thrive.

Our thematic areas of work:

Monitoring the advancement of children’s rights
Reducing poverty and inequality
Protecting children from violence
Enhancing health and development
Promoting children’s voice and agency
Securing futures for children

How we work:

Interdisciplinary research

Understand children and their carers in context; build an evidence base to strengthen policy and practice; advance national and global discourses on children.

Knowledge translation

Synthesise, exchange, apply, and disseminate evidence, to enhance policy, practice and services.

Evidence-based advocacy

Leverage a variety of evidence-informed strategies to support and hold government accountable and enhance service delivery.

Strategic partnerships

Amplify the voices of children, and those who care for and serve children. Build partnerships with academia, civil society and government to co-create evidence and interventions for impact.

Education and training

Develop a children’s workforce and strengthen the capacity of researchers to realise children’s rights in practice.