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CDENF: Outcome of the 2nd plenary meeting

The Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) concluded the first year of its mandate by holding its 2nd plenary meeting online on 16-18 November 2020, with over 100 participants, including high-level officials, engaging in discussions on the numerous topical subjects concerning policies and the rights of the child.

The CDENF was addressed by Mr Adrien Taquet, Secretary of State on children and families of France and Ms Najat Maalla, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children, followed by an exchange of views with them on progress made and key challenges which should be addressed at European and member state level, notably by the next Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027).

Ms Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou, Chair of the CDENF, made a statement on the occasion of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (18 November), which focused on preventing risky behaviour by children, including child self-generated sexual images and/or videos.

The CDENF examined a draft Declaration on the need to intensify efforts to respect and protect children’s privacy in the digital environment, which is also being examined by the Consultative Committee of Convention 108, and will be jointly approved before communication and adoption by the Committee of Ministers. It also invited its members to take part in a survey on children’s participation in the decision-making process in the biomedical field, which is a joint area of work with the Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO).

The Committee initiated final consultations on the review of implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)09 on Life projects for unaccompanied migrant minors and the next priority actions to be recommended.

Other areas examined by CDENF experts included:

  • the welfare and child protection challenges related to child returnees from conflict areas;
  • systems for professionals to report violence against children;
  • the protection of children’s rights and their best interests in situations of parental separation and care proceedings; and
  • the COVID-19 pandemic and children, including schooling in COVID-19 times and related policies.

The Committee also reviewed the progress of implementation of the current Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021) and kicked off its preparations for the next Strategy.

The CDENF elected Ms Rosario Farmhouse (Portugal) as its Vice-Chairperson.

The next plenary session of the CDENF will take place on 22-23 March 2021 and will be exclusively dedicated to the Committee’s work on migration.

 Statement by Ms Najat Maalla, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children

 Statement by Ms Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou, Chair of the CDENF on the occasion of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against ChildrenAbuse (18 November)

 Video of the exchange of views with Ms Najat Maalla, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children

  Annotated agenda

Strasbourg 23 November 2020
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