The International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) was established by the Board of Trustees of Fundación Diagrama in 2003 as an autonomous non-profit organisation within the internal structure of Fundación Diagrama. Its work focuses on addressing the issues faced by children and young people in conflict with the law, with an interdisciplinary and plural approach that is also sensitive to different realities and cultures, with the ultimate aim of contributing to the protection of their rights and the improvement of their lives.
In 2006, the Governing Board of the IJJO decided to constitute it as a Belgian Foundation of Public Interest, with the aim of further advancing its mission. After 18 years of dedicated work at its head office in Brussels, the Board resolved to dissolve the Belgian Foundation in 2024 and relocate its head office back to Spain, once again becoming an autonomous non-profit organisation within the internal structure of Fundación Diagrama, whilst maintaining the same principles and aims that have underpinned its mission from the very first day.
This mission is centred on the promotion of the rights of children and young people in conflict with the law through the observation of juvenile justice systems from an international, interdisciplinary, and rights-based perspective, as well as the promotion and support of initiatives that aim to advance a fairer and more inclusive juvenile justice.
To carry out this work, the IJJO operates as an open and collaborative space for the study, exchange and dissemination of shared knowledge that can contribute to the improvement of juvenile justice systems and legislation. The IJJO also promotes the enhancement of the skills and competencies of professionals and students, as well as innovation, awareness-raising, and exchange of best practices.
To this end, the IJJO mainly engages in training, research, technical support, advocacy, the dissemination of specialised resources and of new developments in the field, as well as the recognition of leading professionals and organisations in the field of juvenile justice.