On 3 December 2025, the Council of Europe held a conference in Yerevan, to review progress made in strengthening the protection of children in Armenia.
Initiated to review progress under the Project on “Protecting the rights of Armenian children in post-conflict context” as part of Council of Europe’s Comprehensive Response Package to the refugee influx in Armenia, the event provided an opportunity to take stock of achievements to date, assess remaining challenges, and outline priorities for ensuring children’s safety and well-being in times of emergency and beyond. The event brought together national authorities, international partners, civil society, professionals, as well as senior officials from key ministries, representatives of the Council of Europe Children’s Rights Division, independent experts from several member states, and delegates from UNICEF, UNHCR, ICRC, the EU Delegation to Armenia, and leading child-focused NGOs—demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing an integrated, child-friendly protection system in Armenia.
Over 15 children representing the Public Council advising the Human Rights Defender’s Office also actively participated in their own workshop on safeguarding, taking a leading role in the discussions and setting the tone for the day.
The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, the Human Rights Defender, and Deputy Ministers of main partner ministries opened the conference with their welcome and opening remarks.
“Today, two years after the beginning of the project, the guardianship and alternative care systems have been mapped, identifying strengths and weaknesses to issue child-centred recommendations at the legal and policy level. Based on the Council of Europe expertise in supporting member States during crisis situations, the assessed needs were translated into solutions and enabling tools to meet them. Children, including unaccompanied and separated children can, today, count on a system that understands them better and on professionals who know how to act in their best interests, in accordance with the Council of Europe standards” highlighted Maxime Longangué, Head of Council of Europe Office in Yerevan.
The participants discussed the current system of alternative care and guardianship for children, including those unaccompanied and separated from their parents, exploring how the recommendations from the thematic Needs Assessment Report can be applied to improve it. They shared the impact of tailored capacity-building sessions initiated within the Project on their daily work, and presented new child-friendly materials to help children understand their rights, awareness-raising booklets designed to enhance professionals’ knowledge on specific issues. Experts from different European countries shared their approaches to protecting children in emergencies, focusing on how to keep children safe in all settings.
The day concluded with shared reflections on key lessons and a renewed commitment to creating a safer environment for children in Armenia. The Council of Europe announced a one-year extension of the Project until 31 December 2026, during which it will support national authorities in implementing the recently adopted child protection laws and further strengthening safeguards against child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The event was organised under the Council of Europe’s project "Protecting the Rights of Armenian Children in Post-Conflict Context", within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan 2023-2026 for Armenia.