The EU as a Children’s Rights Actor

This interdisciplinary collection provides a critical examination of the European Union's expanding role in children's rights protection, analyzing how political, economic, and legal frameworks shape its interventions. The work rigorously assesses whether EU actions effectively address actual rights violations across member states, moving beyond theoretical discussion to evaluate real-world impact. It questions the coherence of EU children's rights policies with broader international human rights standards and national legal systems, offering a nuanced perspective on institutional effectiveness. This analysis is particularly timely as the EU continues to develop its identity as a global human rights actor.

What distinguishes this volume is its multidimensional approach that scrutinizes both the intentions and outcomes of EU children's rights initiatives. The contributors explore the complex interplay between supranational policy-making and local implementation challenges, providing valuable insights for scholars of European governance and human rights law. Policy makers and advocates will find the critical assessment of policy compatibility and enforcement mechanisms especially relevant for understanding systemic gaps. The book ultimately challenges readers to reconsider how effectively transnational institutions can protect vulnerable populations when political and economic priorities compete with human rights imperatives.