Promising practices to promote
best interests of children in
international migration
International Social Service
• Transnational casework, advocacy and research based on
international standards (network in more than 120 countries)
• Since 1924 working with this group of children (over 75 000
cases/year)
• Legal Basis
– UN-Conveniton on the Rights of the Child and its’ protocols
– UN Alternative Care Guidelines
– The Hague Conventions, such as the 1996 Hague Child
Protection Convention
ISS’ aspirations
1) Establish a strengthened cooperation and communication
mechanisms among all stakeholders;
2) Identify and implement durable and appropriate care
solutions based on a well-established socio-legal expertise;
3) Increase awareness about the safeguard foreseen by the
Alternative Care Guidelines and the 1996 Hague Convention
by developing practical tools and undertaking specific
research studies.
Aspiration 1:
Develop and strengthen cooperation and
communication mechanisms
• Joint efforts to promote cooperation and communication
– «The 3 Cs»: cooperation, communication and compliance
– West African Network
• Joint efforts for family tracing across borders and long term planning
– ISS distinct know-how
– Spanish Red Cross (ISS correspondent)
– ISS Australia
Aspiration 2:
Find appropriate care solutions for refugee
children, UASC or displaced children in accordance
with their best interests
• The child’s right to be heard
– DCI Italy (ISS correspondent): contribution to EU
Guidelines and to IMPACT initiative
• Considering international kinship family care
– Embedded policy through ISS network
– Precise procedure foreseen by the 1996 HC (arts. 33 and 232f)
• Preliminary consultation
• Submission of report on the child (reasons for placement)
• Necessary consent for placement
– Several advantages for the child
– Positive results so far (CFAB-ISS UK; ISS Australia)
Aspiration 3:
Capacity building and training for professionals to
adequately take care of children
• Develop practical tools for professionals
– ISS Switzerland
• Provide specific training modules for professionals
– ISS USA
• Awareness raising campaigns and specific research studies
– ISS/IRC: Moving Forward Handbook and Monthly Review
– RELAF
– Portal MIGRAR
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.
For further information, please contact:
[email protected]