Over 40 countries commit to working collectively to end all forms of violence against children

Bogota, 07 November 2024 - Representatives from over 40 countries worldwide committed on Thursday to working collectively to forge the newly revitalized Pathfinding Global Alliance to end all forms of violence against children.

This Alliance was launched at the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, held from 7 to 8 November in Bogota. Bringing together 120 country representatives, including more than 50 ministers, the conference highlighted concrete actions and commitments to make childhoods safer worldwide.

The renewed Alliance takes this opportunity to support high-level political engagement, translate commitments into concrete action, and mobilize sustainable investment in children’s protection and well-being.

This multi-stakeholder Alliance brings together governments, the UN, civil society, the private sector, academia, donors, local authorities, communities, regional organizations, and young people.

“The Pathfinding Alliance is a powerful platform for sharing knowledge and promising practices and for regional collaboration to boost child protection worldwide,” said Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children.

The Alliance aims to keep child protection at the forefront of government agendas through a cross-sectoral and bottom-up approach, making it a core part of their work programs.

"Ensuring sustainable investment in child protection within national budgets is essential," Dr. Maalla M’jid emphasized. “We must also create a strong accountability mechanism to turn these commitments into lasting change.”

The Pathfinding Alliance will be crucial in fast-tracking the 2030 global goal of ending violence against children.

The clock is ticking. Let’s act now and better for and with children!”