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 WCPRC, 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. More than 53,000 schools with 23 million students in 101 countries are registered as Global Friend schools of the WCPRC, including millions of students from vulnerable situations. Students at these schools are entitled to vote in the Global Vote - an election to decide the recipient of the WCPRC. In the Global Vote 2009, 7.1 million children voted.

An International Children's Jury select the final three candidates among the year’s nominations. 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.

The World's Children's Honorary Awards go to the finalists who do not receive the WCPRC. All three prize laureates receive part of the prize money to use for their work on behalf of the rights of the child.

The WCPRC was founded by Swedish organisation Children's World, but is today run by the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation. The World’s Children’s Prize 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 the 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, including 2009 laureates Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel.

The WCPRC website on November 10 2009; and emails from Magnus Bergmar to The Communication Initiative on November 24 2008, December 11 2009, and January 13 2010.