Εκμετάλλευση - Εμπορία Ανθρώπων - Human Exploitation/Trafficking Let-Children-be-Children_Case-studies-refugee-prog | Page 11

The 2017 EC Recommendation on the European Pillar of Social Rights has the objective of strengthening Europe’s social dimension. In its Social Protection and Inclusion Chapter, mention is made of the rights for all children to benefit from good quality early childhood education and care, as well as protection from poverty, including specific measures for disadvantaged children to enhance equal opportunities. The EC Communication on the Protection of Children in Migration, also adopted in 2017, provides a framework and recommendations to ensure the protection of children in migration and to provide adequate reception conditions. It is based on the key principles of the best interests of the child and of a non-discriminatory approach as a basis for all actions concerning migrant and refugee children. The Common European Asylum System sets out common standards among EU Member States to ensure shared, fair and effective asylum procedures across the EU. The treatment of asylum seekers, including children, is the subject matter of the Reception Conditions Directive, currently under revision. The proposal states that the best interests of the child, should be taken into primary consideration in the implementation of the Directive. The Council of Europe has a comprehensive strategy to promote the rights of the child across the continent: spanning the 2016-2021 time frame, it mentions poverty, inequality and exclusion and migration as key challenges affecting children in Europe today; and in its priority areas “equal opportunities for all children” and “a life free from violence for all children”, it addresses the rights of children on the move or otherwise affected by migration as deserving protection and promotion by various Council of Europe bodies. The role of adequately trained care professionals is underlined as crucial in ensuring a child-rights based approach in all forms of alternative care. The Council of Europe also adopted a specific Action Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe (2017-2019). It provides guidance to ensure a ccess to rights and child- friendly procedures, to provide effective protection, and to enhance the integration of children who seek international protection in Europe. A detailed description of all these legislative and policy documents is included as an annex (see annex 2). We hope that the practice examples illustrated in the case studies will provide inspiration and guidance on how the child rights framework can be brought to life for all children in Europe, no matter where they come from. 11