Newly added resources
Do you want to know more about what we discussed at the event?
In this section you can find a wide range of resources, including a selection of keynote speakers' presentations during the event.
- The protection of children in migration: emerging issues and ways forward - Maria Zuber, Coordinator on Minors, Directorate-General Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission
- Reception and integration of unaccompanied children in Scandinavian countries - Anna Gärdegård, Project Leader, Nordic Welfare Centre
- Smuggling and trafficking of unacompanied and separated children - Lucio Melandri, Senior Emergency Manager, Refugee & Migrant Crisis in Europe, UNICEF
- Integrating migrant children and their families - the Maltese context - Maryanne Gauci, Service Manager, Appogg Agency, Foundation for Welfare Services, Malta
About the event
Since 2015, the arrival of migrants reaching European countries has hit unprecedented numbers and this has been particularly dramatic for children. Countries are now facing many challenges in providing for these children, but are also facing many opportunities to help them develop in society. When it comes to unaccompanied children, social services have a duty to guaranteeing their protection and development through ensuring access to mainstream care, education, housing and health, as well as programmes guaranteeing their long-term social inclusion.
This event came after a questionnaire was conducted in early 2017, which asked ESN members how they are working with these children to guarantee their inclusion. The aim of the seminar was to explore, in detail, the number of issues that ESN members highlighted on social inclusion and the transition to adulthood for the many unaccompanied children and young migrants in Europe.
Organised in cooperation with ESN’s Swedish member, the National Board of Health and Welfare, this event gave participants the opportunity to discuss with European and international policy-makers the key issues that local social services are facing. We covered the following issues:
- Major issues for unaccompanied children in the care and protection services
- Social services for families’ social inclusion
- Employment and social inclusion support for young refugee migrants after leaving public care
Download the programme, speakers' bios and delegate list here.
Resources
Media coverage:
- EU states are denying child migrants essential services - The Guardian, ESN Policy Director Alfonso Lara Montero.
- Thousands of unaccompanied children in Greek island camps need help - The Guardian, ESN Policy Director Alfonso Lara Montero.
- Young migrants in Ireland are treated as children, not asylum seekers - The Guardian, David Brindle.
- (In Italian) Migranti, in Grecia minori in condizioni intollerabili: appello da Stoccolma - Redattore Sociale, Eleonora Camilli.
- (In Italian) Dall’Afghanistan alla Svezia: mi batto per i minori (e le donne) - Redattore Sociale, Eleonora Camilli.
News articles:
- Supporting migrant children - towards effective social integration
- Effective pathways for the integration of migrant children and young people
- Many unaccompanied migrant children are still left without guardians, Pulse, Valentina Guerra, ESN.
Videos:
Publications:
- The impact of the refugee crisis on local public social services in Europe European Social Network (2016)
- Promoting Inclusion for Unaccompanied Young Asylum Seekers and Immigrants European Social Network (2005)
- The Way Forward to Strengthened Policies and Practices for Unaccompanied Children in Europe UNHCR, UNICEF and IRC (2017)
- Harrowing Journeys. Children and youth on the move across the Mediterranean Sea, at risk of trafficking and exploitation UNICEF, IOM (2017)