On 18 September 2016, in the run-up to the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland took part in a high-level event Carry Light for Children co-organised by the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe, UNICEF and the Estonian Mission to the UN. The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the perilous condition of children during flight and migration, and the urgent need to assist them. Secretary General Jagland informed participants about a Europe-wide action plan that the Council of Europe is currently preparing on an expedited timetable to help ensure that all migrant and refugee children can enjoy their fundamental rights.
A Conference on Children’s Rights which is part of the Estonian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe will take place in Tallinn from 3 to 4 November 2016. The aim of the conference is to share good practices and discuss children’s rights in the migration context. The relevant panels will focus on the rights of refugee children, in particular their rights in their new homeland. At the conference, children will present their own messages and thoughts on the issues under discussion.