Transnational advocacy for children

This study analyzes transnational activism through a qualitative and comparative evaluation of the child soldiers and child sexual exploitation networks. The project first assesses the networks' emergence, proposing that a new model is needed to explain the origins of transnational advocacy networks (TANs) that seek to establish international standards. This 'entrepreneurial model' features leadership by individual entrepreneurs working through international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). These entrepreneurs build upon pre-existing supportive norms and political opportunities presented by international organizations to raise awareness about their cause and begin network formation.; Second, the study evaluates the role of INGOs, as networks strive to exert normative and regulatory influence over states and international organizations. The study hypothesizes that networks containing INGO alliances will have greater influence and therefore a broader capacity to establish global norms and legal standards. By performing coordination and leadership tasks, INGO alliances facilitate collaborative goal setting, data collection and issue framing, ultimately strengthening the entire transnational network.; Existing research has emphasized four categories of transnational activism: labor movements, human rights, environmental campaigns, and women's rights. This study provides new, detailed case analyses of the efforts to end child soldier and child sexual exploitation and shed light upon the expanding child rights' transnational movement with the goal of contributing not only to theoretical research but also to potential policy choices among child activist organizations.