Children at the Heart of Human Rights
International Institute for the Rights of the Child
(former Chair) UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

Jean Zermatten was President and Dean of the Juvenile Court of the Canton of Valais (Switzerland) from 1980 to 2005. He is the Founder and Director of the International Institute for the Rights of the Child (IDE) in Sion/Switzerland and has been a Lecturer at the University of Fribourg (Arts Faculty, Social Work and Law Faculty). He is Dr h.c. from the University of Fribourg

He has initiated and launched the MAS in Children’s Rights, in collaboration with the University of Fribourg and the Institut Universitaire Kurt Bösch and various academic DAS and CAS on children's rights issues for professionals.

He has worked on various continents, including in Africa and is Member of the WAN (West Africa Network for children on the move, with the International Social Service).

UN Committee for the Rights of the Child: member since since 2005, Vice-Chair 2007-11, Chairperson 2011-2013.