The National Council for the Child (NCC) strives to be a leading force in safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of all children and youth in Israel, and to help create a reality in which every child grows up in a safe, equitable, and rights-based environment.

The National Council for the Child (NCC) is a non-profit civil society organization that has been working since 1986 to advance and protect the full spectrum of children and youth’s rights in Israel.

The NCC plays a central role in shaping national and local policy related to children and youth. Its activities include, among others: initiating and promoting legislation and public policy; operating programs and services for children and youth — including the Assistance and Support Center and the Child Victims Assistance Center for child victims of sexual and violent crime; developing innovative models and programs in the field of children’s rights — such as the Youth Parliament model for youth participation in policymaking; publishing reports, policy-driven research, and data on the situation of children and youth in Israel; and building cross-sector partnerships.

The NCC serves as a key knowledge hub for government ministries, local authorities, professionals, civil society organizations, researchers, and the general public — including children and youth themselves.

For nearly four decades, the NCC has stood at the forefront of public action for children and youth in Israel. Its uniqueness lies in the combination of extensive experience, multidisciplinary work, and the ability to operate independently and without conflicts of interest. Together, these qualities make the NCC a singular organization in Israel:

A nationwide, child-centered perspective: The NCC is the only organization in Israel dedicated to all children and youth (from birth to age 18), across all communities and in all areas of their lives. Because the NCC does not focus on a single population or issue, it is able to present a holistic picture, identify cross-cutting gaps, and propose system-level solutions.

Integration of micro- and macro-level work: Our work combines direct field activity — responding to inquiries, supporting children who have experienced abuse, and conducting youth participation processes — with knowledge development and advocacy at national and local levels. This combination creates a deep understanding of children’s lived realities and ensures responses grounded in actual needs.

Independent and unbiased action: The NCC does not receive governmental funding for its core operations. This independence allows us to act freely, without conflicts of interest, and to voice informed and courageous positions on behalf of children and youth.

Broad impact on the national and international stage: The NCC has advanced more than 160 laws and legislative amendments, participates regularly in Knesset committee deliberations, contributes to public and professional forums, and leads large-scale national initiatives for the benefit of children and youth (for example, joint leadership of the cross-sectoral Roundtable on Children and Youth during the war and during the COVID-19 crisis). Innovative models developed by the NCC have been adopted as national services (“social exits”). Internationally, the NCC holds Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and submits reports and position papers to international bodies, including the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

A data-driven approach to advancing rights: The NCC maintains the most comprehensive database on children and youth in Israel and serves as a central source for legal, social, theoretical, and data-driven knowledge in the field. Our work integrates applied research, up-to-date statistics, international learning, and participatory processes with children and youth — all of which inform national and local decision-making.

A single address for children and youth: The NCC’s Assistance and Support Center aids every year to thousands of cases involving children and youth at risk, in distress, or facing violations of their rights