Conference on Protection of Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children in Ireland and Europe

Venue: Bedford Hall, Dublin Castle

EMN Ireland, the Irish National Contact Point of the European Migration Network (located at the ESRI), together with the UNHCR Ireland, will hold a half-day conference on Protection of Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children in Ireland and Europe.

The conference will address the best interests of unaccompanied minors and separated children, in particular in relation to:-

•Entry and assessment measures and border control;

•Asylum procedures;

•Reception and care arrangements; and

•Return and reintegration practices.

 

Conference Agenda

09:00 Arrival and Registration

09:30 Welcome & Opening address: Frances Ruane, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

09:40 Standards & Guidance in Working with Unaccompanied Minors & Separated Children in Europe

Chair: Peter Power, UNICEF

* Valeria Setti, Directorate-General Home Affairs, European Commission (Download presentation)

* Andrea Vonkeman, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Bureau for Europe (Download presentation)

* Killian O’Brien, European Asylum Support Office (Download presentation)

10:40 Questions and Answers Discussion

11:00 Coffee break

11:30 Challenges, Gaps and Practice in Working with Unaccompanied Minors & Separated Children in Ireland

Chair: Senator Jillian van Turnhout

* Emma Quinn, EMN Ireland / Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) (Download presentation)

* Paraic O’Carroll, Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) (Download presentation)

* Samantha Arnold, Trinity College Dublin and Irish Refugee Council (Download presentation)

* Thomas Dunning, TUSLA Child and Family Agency (Download presentation)

* Manus de Barra, Ombudsman for Children’s Office

12:45 Questions and Answers Discussion

13:05 Closing Remarks:

Sophie Magennis, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ireland

13:15 Lunch

Download conference agenda