The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC) is awarded to three individuals or organisations for outstanding contributions on behalf of the rights of the child. The election of finalists is structured as a worldwide educational and empowerment process for the rights of the child and democracy and gives the world’s children an opportunity to present the prizes that are awarded for outstanding contributions on behalf of the rights of the child.


Through the World’s Children’s Prize the children have the opportunity to learn about and demand respect for their rights, meet role models fighting for these rights, and take part in the Global Vote. The prize sums are used in support of economically disadvantaged children. Nearly 50,000 schools with 21.5 million students in 94 countries are registered as Global Friend schools of the WCPRC, including millions of students from the vulnerable situations. Students at these schools are entitled to vote in the "Global Vote" - an election to decide the recipient of one of the prizes: the Global Friends' Award. In the Global Vote 2008 6.6 million children voted.

The other major prize, the World's Children's Prize, is awarded by an international Children's Jury. The children on the jury are selected as experts in the field of children's rights through their own first-hand experiences as child soldiers, slaves, and refugees.

Three finalist candidates are put forward each year. The World's Children's Honorary Award goes to the finalist who does not receive either the Global Friends' Award or World's Children's Prize. All three prize laureates receive part of the prize money to use for their work on behalf of the rights of the child.

WCPRC was founded by Swedish organisation Children's World, but is open to all schools and organisations in the world. There are more than 500 Adult Friend organisations in some 40 countries, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), departments of education and media projects supporting the WCPRC. Adults (organisations, companies, and individuals) may support WCPRC as Adult Friends and may also nominate prize candidates.

People (children and adults) or organisations can be nominated for WCPRC. Self-nominations will not be accepted. All Global Friends and Adult Friends may submit nominations. All children under 18 whose school becomes a Global Friend can take part in the global vote for the Global Friends' Award. Click here for more information about becoming a Global Friend.

Click here for more information about becoming an Adult Friend.


Click here for more information on nominating a candidate for the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child.

Click here for information on previous laureates.

The WCPRC website on November 10 2009 and an email from Magnus Bergmar to The Communication Initiative on November 24 2008.