Defence for Children International (DCI) is an independent non-governmental organisation that has been promoting and protecting children’s rights on a global, regional, national and local level for 30 years.

The DCI Movement is represented through its grassroots national sections and associated members in more than 45 countries worldwide. Its International Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The DCI movement was founded in 1979, the International Year of the Child, at a time when few international structures were dedicated to a rights-based approach in addressing the many challenges facing the world’s children.

DCI was at the forefront in the drafting process and international lobby for the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and its work continues to be embedded in these fundamental principles. Since 2005, Justice for Children has been the overachieving priority of the Movement.