The GNRC was inaugurated in May 2000 on the occasion of its First Forum in Tokyo, Japan, by a group of 294 religious leaders and grassroots child-rights workers representing all of the world’s major religious traditions at the invitation of Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto.The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) is an interreligious network of people, associations or organizations involved in working for children’s rights and the well-being of children at local, national, sub-regional, regional and global levels, which promotes cooperation among its members, as well as with other interested parties.  GNRC strives to bring people from all walks of life together to build a better world for children.

Arigatou International has since launched Ethics Education for Children (2004), Prayer and Action for Children (2008) and Ending Child Poverty (2012) on the occasions of the GNRC Second, Third and Fourth Forums  respectively.  These  Initiatives  have  developed  to  be  the  main  resources  driving  the  GNRC Network. The initiatives work individually and in synergized ways to resource and enrich the work of the GNRC members. Faith-based organizations or groups as well as individual people of faith that are working with and for children are invited to join the GNRC. For an individual or an organization to become a member, they must first meet the following criteria:

They are actively engaged in promoting children’s rights and their well-being;

-  Are involved in faith or interfaith work at the local (grassroots), national or global levels;

-  Their work and activities are in full harmony with the aims and work of the GNRC;

-  They are willing to cooperate with other GNRC members in building a better world for children;

-  Have  a  proven  track  record  of  working  with  children  and  ensuring  their  protection  and

safeguarding.

Objectives of the GNRC

The GNRC Network has the following objectives;

a.  To call members and others to make uniquely faith-based contributions to the creation of a better environment for children through engaging in prayer, mutual enlightenment, dialogue and  cooperation  among  people  of  different  faiths,  including  children,  at  the  local,  national, regional and global levels.

b.  To take concrete action with and for children through interfaith cooperation, and to engage adults and children in interreligious dialogue for creating a better environment for children in a diverse and globalizing world.

c.  To encourage members and others to build a global movement for children in order to promote significant  changes  in  the  environment  facing  children,  working  in  cooperation  with international organizations, academics, the business community and people of all walks of life

around the world.

d.  To  promote  children’s  rights  in  their  entirety  as  defined  by  official  documents  including  the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

e.  To assist members and others in their work, with and for children, to build a peaceful world of human dignity, where children can grow up in sound physical, psychological, and spiritual health.