International conventions are formal agreements between States, otherwise known as treaties, and are part of international law. They create binding obligations for States who are party to the treaty. Treaties that have the title of ‘conventions’ are usually those negotiated under an International Organisation, such as the UN General Assembly or the International Labor Organisation. There are 9 key human rights treaties that form the core of the international system to promote and protect human rights, and many of these also have optional protocols that States can ratify. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is one of the core human rights treaties and the primary one governing international obligations related to children’s protection and care.
Guidelines are documents that can set out benchmark practices and desirable policy orientations for States around specific issues. Unlike treaties, international guidelines are non-binding, however can still be hugely influential in standard setting. The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children are a good example, and were adopted in a UN General Assembly Resolution