JACQUELINE BHABHA: We'll be covering the foundations of child protection in four

distinct modules.
The course will begin with an introduction
to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,
to the definition of child protection, and to key child protection
issues facing children today.
We'll be asking our experts to define child protection
and to examine some of the institutions that are implicated in improving
the lives of children across the world.
We will then examine the causes and the impact of violence on children
and explore efforts to address and prevent violence against children.
This includes a segment on the role of social norms.
Here, we draw on several case studies to illustrate
the ways in which social norms themselves
can be changed to prevent violence and harm against children.
The third section of the course examines the relationship
between children and the law with a focus
on children who are particularly marginalized
and who require additional protection.
In this context, we'll be discussing children
who are in conflict with the law and who encounter the juvenile justice system,
children who are in contact with the law,
for example, because they're in orphanages or in other forms
of alternative care, and migrant children, including
children who are refugees or displaced.
In the final section, we introduce the importance of a systems approach
to child protection.
In this section, we draw on prior sections
to convey the components of this integrated child protection system,
to explain how to assess and map a system,
and how to strengthen the child protection system to prevent
and to respond to harm to children.
Throughout the course, you'll be hearing from policymakers from United Nations
representatives, from a range of activists, academics, and those
working in the non-profit sector.
Our experts are drawn from all over the world,
and they'll talk about their work and experiences
in different areas of child protection.
They'll join us in person or via video call.
And they'll deliver lectures or, in some cases,
be interviewed by a member of the teaching team.
This teaching team includes Elizabeth Gibbons, Amiya Bhatia, Rebecca Shin,
and Tiffany Wong.
In many cases, you'll also have the chance
to read about the work and the experiences
that the experts are presenting.
We hope that you learn key skills in designing programs and interventions
for children, how to implement a child's rights
approach, and effective tools and strategies
to improve systems that address children.
I hope you'll participate in the discussion forums
and take the opportunity to get to know other students who
are interested in child protection.