Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) is a global network of child rights organisations, which was created following the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As most countries were ratifying the Convention, more and more non-governmental organisations (NGOs) began working on child rights issues, there was a need for information about child rights to be in one easily accessible place where anyone could share information. CRIN was set up in 1995 to become a central clearinghouse of information related to children’s rights. The role of it is to ‘democratise’ information - to make it freely available in a variety of formats, both electronically and in hard copy, with the ultimate aim of advancing the realisation of children’s rights.

Membership profile
The membership consists of 1,550 organisations based in over 125 countries. 26 per cent of member countries are in Africa, 28.5 per cent are in Asia, 29 per cent in Europe and 8 per cent in North America. The UK and India have the highest membership, but countries like Ghana and Bangladesh have large memberships too. Members range from large international NGOs to local grassroots organisations that often rely on the charity of their local religious communities. Membership is free and anyone can benefit from the services.

Services offered
The following are the services offered by CRIN to the members:

• CRINMAIL: e-mail newsletter in English, Spanish and French and thematic publications;
• Website: includes databases of publications, events and members;
• Directory of members: hard copy and online;
• Members case studies: experiences from around globe;
• Information requests: questions from all and sundry;
• Working papers: research on emerging issues;
• Coverage of key UN events related to children’s issues;
• Membership surveys to evaluate services and members’ needs.

Members appreciate CRINMAIL e-mail newsletter because it gives them information they would otherwise lack and provides an insight into issues of which they may not be aware. Every news item also links readers back to the website where more information can be found. It gives the disenfranchised a voice where otherwise there would be a deafening silence.


Credit: street-children.org.uk
The members’ directory is another popular service as members use it to network with like-minded organisations around the world. The service of CRIN also helps the UN to reach an audience beyond their touch. At the same time, it also deciphers the often complicated reams of UN information into understandable and practical tools for the members. However, it is not all a one-way street. The members also send from ‘the front lines’.

Challenges
There are many areas where the services of CRIN can improve. Below are some of the key challenges CRIN faces in delivering services.


Credit: www.arrakeen.ch
More targeted and interactive information
It can be challenging to meet global, regional and local needs all at the same time. For instance, when it comes to children in armed conflict as seen in West Africa and elsewhere, the CRIN is torn between the needs of those suffering on the ground and the needs to educate on a global level through the UN and other international bodies. Due to limited resources, the target is to send the information to the areas where most difference can be made.