Knowledge sharing seminar on the best interests of the child 28th January 2016

The End FGM European Network held a seminar on the best interests of the child in FGM related cases.

You can find the report of the event here.

The speakers' presentations can be found below.

Knowledge-sharing seminar on the Best Interests of the Child in FGM-related cases

Date: Thursday 28th January 2016

Venue: La Tricoterie, Rue Théodore Verhaegen 158, Brussels 1060, Belgium

Agenda

28 January 2016 9:00 – 15:30

8:30 Registration

9:00 Welcome by President of the Network, Naana Otoo Oyortey MBE

Policy and Legal Context

9:10 Ten Principles on Child Protection, Ellen Gorris, DG Justice, European Commission

9:30 Presentation of Handbook on European law relating to the rights of the child, Dr Maria Amor Martin Estebanez, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

10:00 Presentation from Maïté Beague: Juriste Sos-Enfants Saint-Luc, Assistante en droit de la famille à l'UNamur

Title of the study :L’intérêt de l’enfant dans le cadre des procédures protectionnelles et répressives en lien avec les mutilations génitales féminines. (The best interests of the child in protection and prosecution related to FGM).

Q&A

10:40 Short video (3 minutes) animation on school safeguarding :My Body, My Rules, Forward UK

10:45 – 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 Panel discussion 1: Prosecution

What is in the best interests of the child in FGM related cases? What can we as stakeholders (professionals/CSOs/governments) do to change the status quo?

Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE, Partner, Dawson Cornwell, UK

Natalie Reseigh, Metropolitan Police, London, UK

Moderator: Claudia Hoareau, Direction AkiDwA, Ireland

Q&A

11:45 Panel Discussion 2: Protection

International and national Child protection systems in the EU and decision making process for professionals

Andrea Vonkeman, Policy and Legal Support Unit, UNHCR Bureau for Europe International protection

Christine Flamand, Coordinator of INTACT asbl: Presentation of Belgian Decision Tree and national protection

Moderator: Aurelie Hamelin-Desrumaux, Project Officer, Equilibres & Populations, France

Q&A

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 Panel Discussion 3: Prevention

How to integrate the best interests of the child into prevention measures and training for professionals

Zahra Naleie (Programme Manager, FSAN), Dutch Multi Agency Approach

Fabienne Richard, Director GAMS Belgium and Seydou Niang, Men Speak Out Peer Educators Programme Coordinator: holistic approach to prevention

Moderator: Clara Caldera, AIDOS, Italy

14:30 Q&A

15:00 Conclusions

This event was co-funded by the European Commission's Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme, the Human Dignity Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund.