Godfrey Odongo Appointed Honorary Chair for Children’s Rights 2026/27
Leiden University is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Godfrey Odongo as the Rotating Honorary Chair in Enforcement of Children’s Rights for the academic year 2026/2027 at the Department of Child Law and Health Law of Leiden Law School.
Dr. Odongo is a children’s and human rights scholar and practitioner who has served in various academic and professional positions in Africa and globally. He currently holds a senior fellowship at the Strategic Litigation Project of the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC. He also serves as co-editor of the African Human Rights Law Journal. In his previous capacity as Senior Program Officer at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund in the United States between 2012 and 2025, he supported and closely monitored the advancement of human rights work all over the world. Dr. Odongo has also served as a member of the international advisory board of Leiden University’s Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights, since its inception until 2025.
The Rotating Honorary Chair in Enforcement of Children’s Rights is a prestigious position designed to promote the study and advocacy of children’s rights by inviting children’s rights experts to contribute their knowledge and experience. Alongside recognising distinguished scholarship and practice, the Chair is intended to invest in the wider field by creating opportunities for researchers, students and practitioners at different stages of their careers to develop ideas, build collaborations and contribute to new work on the enforcement of children’s rights Supported by the Kroese-Duijsters Fund and the Leiden University Fund, the Chair continues to attract eminent scholars who enrich the department’s teaching, research, and outreach. Previous holders of the Chair include Professor Kirsten Sandberg (University of Oslo), Professor Jonathan Todres (Georgia State University), Professor Ursula Kilkelly (University College Cork) Dr. Mikiko Otani (former Chairperson of the UN CRC Committee) and Professor Ann Skelton (Leiden University/University of Pretoria).
Professor Ton Liefaard, Head of the Department of Child Law and Health Law and UNICEF Chair in Children’s Rights at Leiden University, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Godfrey Odongo as the Rotating Honorary Chair in Enforcement of Children’s Rights for 2026/2027. Dr. Odongo is a remarkable researcher and has made important contributions to the field of human rights and children’s rights in his capacities as a researcher, guest lecturer, policy and philanthropic lead. Due to his diverse roles, in academia and professional life, he possessed a unique expertise, which will be beneficial to both researchers in our university as well as our students. We look forward to his engagement with our students, staff, and partners."
Dr. Odongo expressed his appreciation for the appointment, stating: "I am honoured to be appointed as the Rotating Honorary Chair in Enforcement of Children’s Rights at Leiden University. I have had the privilege of engaging with Leiden’s children’s rights community over many years. I look forward to contributing to the Department’s teaching and research, exchanging ideas with students and colleagues to strengthen the effective protection and enforcement of children’s rights."
Dr. Odongo’s appointment reflects Leiden University’s ongoing commitment to advancing international children’s rights scholarship and practice. During his tenure, he will contribute to teaching, student supervision, and research collaboration with colleagues at Leiden University.
