Defence for Children International (DCI) is an international children's rights organisation that was established in 1979. 1979 was the International Year of the Child. DCI has, as an independent nongouvernmental organisation (NGO), in more than 40 countries national sections. The Internationale Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.



The work of Defence for Children International is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that was adopted by the United Nations in 1989. 191 countries have signed and ratified the Convention. All the countries that are party to the Convention are committed to protecting the children in their territory.



DCI promotes and protects the rights of the child by:



- giving information about the rights of the child to both children and adults

- investigate and denounce violations of children's rights

- taking action against violations of children's rights

- establish legal defence centres for children in less developed countries