Adults who contribute to the rights of the child and/or the World’s Children’s Prize may be invited to become patrons of our prize. We call them our Honorary Adult Friends.

Today, we have three legends serving as patrons of the World’s Children’s Prize: Nelson Mandela from South Africa, Democracy Champion Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma, and Freedom Fighter Xanana Gusmão, today Prime Minister, from East Timor.

Our patrons also include Queen Silvia of Sweden, The Elders Global Leader and Child Rights Expert Graça Machel from Mozambique and South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and President José Ramos Horta from East Timor, Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics Joseph Stiglitz from USA, former Executive Director of Unicef Carol Bellamy, former Chairman of the UN Security Council, Under-Secretary-General Olara Otunnu from Uganda, as well as super model and rights activist Alek Wek from South Sudan.
> Read about our newest patron Auung San Suu Kyi from Burma.
> See the whole list of our patrons.

A patron/Honorary Adult Friend should:

• Fight for and defend the rights of the child.
• Serve as ambassador for children’s rights and the World's Children's Prize.
• Be prepared to assist the children involved in the World's Children's Prize when called upon.

How are Honorary Adult Friends selected?
The World’s Children’s Prize decides whom to invite to become an Honorary Adult Friend. Students of Global Friends schools and members of Global Friend youth groups may nominate adults whom they believe should serve as patrons of the prize.

The International Child Jury and adults who support the WCP may also nominate people whom they believe should be invited to become Honorary Adult Friends.