Introduction: development, children, and protection

Abstract

This paper introduces the special issue. It first places the protection of children in the context of development studies. It goes on to outline current international trends in the protection of children and raises questions about them. Finally, it introduces the papers in the issue and highlights how they speak to the questions raised.

Introduction : développement, enfants et protection

Cet article constitue l'introduction du numéro spécial. Il situe d'abord la protection de l'enfance dans le contexte des études du développement. Il présente ensuite les tendances internationales actuelles dans la protection de l'enfance et soulève des questions à leur sujet. Il présente enfin les articles figurant dans le numéro et met en relief la manière dont ils traitent des questions soulevées.

Introdução: desenvolvimento, crianças e proteção

Este artigo introduz a edição especial. Primeiramente, ele insere a proteção das crianças no contexto dos estudos de desenvolvimento. O artigo, então, apresenta as tendências internacionais de hoje relativas à proteção das crianças e levanta questões sobre elas. Por fim, os artigos da edição são apresentados e destaca-se como eles abordam as questões levantadas.

Introducción: desarrollo, infancia y protección

El ensayo que introduce este número especial comienza situando la protección de la niñez en el contexto de los estudios de desarrollo. Continúa perfilando las tendencias actuales de la protección de la niñez en el ámbito internacional y plantea dudas sobre las mismas. El ensayo concluye con una semblanza de los artículos que componen este número y se centra en cómo éstos responden a las dudas planteadas.

Keywords:

• Social sector
• Rights
• Gender and diversity – Youth
• Aid – Development policies
• Accountability

Notes

Young Lives is core-funded from 2001 to 2017 by UK aid from DFID, and co-funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2014. Sub-studies are funded by the Bernard van Leer Foundation and the Oak Foundation. Further information is provided in the Preface to this collection.

The fifth draft of the ‘Child Protection Model Law’ is available at www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/CP-Model-Law_5th-Draft_Sep-2011.pdf (accessed 19 April 2012). The cited wording has been modified in the 6th draft, in circulation at the time of finalising this article, but not yet in the public domain.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William Myers

William E. Myers is an educator who has worked with UNICEF and ILO, and is an associate in the Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis, USA. [email protected]

Michael Bourdillon

Michael F. C. Bourdillon is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology, University of Zimbabwe.