The Children’s Rights European Academic Network (CREAN) is a network of more than 30 European higher education institutions that work together in order to support the development of education, research and outreach activities.

Drawing on the academic potential and expertise of its members, CREAN proved to be, since its foundation in 2003, a key promoter for the enhancement of the academic field of children’s rights as an interdisciplinary field of studies. CREAN believes that academic research and university teaching play an essential role in furthering the social perception and understanding of children’s human rights.

Through its networking activities, CREAN acts as a platform for the promotion and exchange of information on scientific research and fosters research collaborations between its members. CREAN supports the integration of children's rights and childhood studies research in academic teaching and encourages the use of research in social policy. In order to foster the understanding and knowledge of policy makers at national and international level about children’s human rights, CREAN acts as facilitator in the field of service provision and supports its members to undertake individual and collaborative consultancy mandates. By encouraging the introduction and support of university teaching courses and programmes (elective courses, summer courses, Bachelor, Master, Advanced Master and PhD programmes), CREAN trains professionals and academics in children's rights.