‘A Century of Conflict. Transnational Perspectives on Children’s Rights History in Europe (1924–2024)’

Dr. Agnes Anna Arndt – Hannah-Arendt Institute for Totalitarianism Studies, Dresden University

The talk focuses on the centennial history of children’s rights in Europe spanning the period from 1924 to 2024. It illuminates the complex interdependence between global norms, national legislation, and local implementation practices. Crucially, the study argues that the translation of internationally conceived ideals into national contexts is marked by numerous ruptures and caesuras. Consequently, the historical development cannot be described as linear progress, but rather as a tense and alternating dynamic between transnational and national forces. Positioned at the intersection of social, cultural, and legal history, the talk demonstrates how the historical examination of children’s rights development contributes to an understanding of issues that extend beyond the history of children and childhoods. The critical analysis, the lecture argues, not only provides vital and necessary insights into the interpretation and deconstruction of child protection concepts in times of global crises. Furthermore, the historical perspective offers important findings for comprehending past and present political instrumentalization of children and their rights in Europe.