The name Children's Promise came from the 'The Millennium' Children's Promise™ campaign which was created and developed in the U.K. by Marks & Spencer Plc and the New Millennium Experience Company under the leadership of Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1999. During the Millennium Children's Promise took on global significance with an international network of partners in twenty-three countries participating, including the Australian Youth Foundation (AYF which has since merged with the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) . Business leaders and companies from around the world pledged their support or mobilised the voluntary participation of their employees at the time. High profile leaders included President Johannes Rau of Germany, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland, World Bank President James Wolfensohn, South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Children's Promise was endorsed at many levels including the Government. In addition to the Patronage from the Governor General it was endorsed by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and all Premiers and Chief Ministers.