Closing the Justice Gap for Children

Innovation is one of the few bright spots in today’s fractured international landscape. Around the world, creative approaches to child-centered justice are emerging, offering practical, scalable solutions. Think of these as “Gamechangers”: innovations that reimagine how justice systems can respond to children’s needs, drawing on children’s lived experiences, research, and the expertise of professionals. We identify seven types of game-changing services, illustrated with key innovations that demonstrate how justice systems can be transformed.

Some Gamechangers work by preventing harm in the first place: These include school-based violence prevention, family support programs, or community justice services that resolve disputes close to home. Others tackle systemic barriers, such as lack of birth registration, which shuts children out of basic rights before their lives have even begun. Still others move from a fragmented, institution-based approach to integrated, multi-sectoral services: For example, Child Advocacy Centers or the Barnahus Model that brings police, social workers, lawyers and psychologists under one roof to support victims of violence; or restorative justice programs that repair relationships instead of compounding harm.

Crucially, child-centered justice also requires the adults in the system (judges, lawyers, police, social workers) to be trained and equipped to communicate with children and respect their rights. It demands safeguards that ensure children understand proceedings, can express their views, and are protected throughout the process. It thrives when alliances are formed across borders, sectors, and generations, and when governments, civil society, professionals, donors, private sector and children themselves come together to drive change.

These examples show that justice for children is not just an aspiration. It’s already happening around the world. The challenge is scaling up what works.

One place this scaling-up has begun is the World Congresses on Justice With Children. This gathering has brought together an unlikely mix of stakeholders; from governments, UN agencies, civil society, academia, and children themselves, to imagine a different future. It has shown what happens when diverse actors join forces: ideas take root, networks form, and momentum builds.

But the World Congresses were never meant to be a one-off event. After the last convening in Madrid in June 2025, an idea emerged to create something lasting: the International Center for Justice Alliance, a global alliance for justice innovation. This non-profit initiative is dedicated to transforming justice systems through collaboration, innovation, and strategic dialogue. Its mission is simple but ambitious: connect profesionals across regions, highlight and scale promising Gamechangers, and keep people and human rights at the heart of justice reform worldwide.

At a moment when international cooperation is struggling, it may seem utopian to argue for more alliances and collaboration among organizations - but it is precisely through strengthened partnerships that child-centered justice can be advanced and sustained. Without joint action, the justice gap will only grow wider, with consequences that echo far beyond 2030. Closing it is not just about protecting children today; it is about safeguarding the rights and opportunities of future generations.

If we can reinvigorate collaboration, especially in this adverse context, we can turn promising ideas into transformative change. Justice for people cannot wait. Justice for children cannot wait and neither can we.