Advocacy for the rights of asylum-seeking children
The project highlights the shortcomings in the system that deals
with unaccompanied and separated children. It works to promote
quality care for all children regardless of their migration status as
part of SOS Children's Villages’ broader child rights advocacy at
national, regional and municipal levels.
Challenges faced in rural areas
The main challenge faced in carrying out the project in rural areas is
the shortage of employees with multicultural skills and experience
in managing migration issues. In addition, the available services
and education or employment opportunities are limited. As a result,
service providers and local authorities may struggle to meet the
needs of refugee children.
LESSONS LEARNED
• Family reunification laws should be re-
viewed to fully respect the UNCRC
Children seeking to be reunited with their
families often encounter considerable obsta-
cles. Reducing practical barriers, simplifying
procedures and providing child-friendly
information could improve the situation of
children in this process.
• Service providers need to be able to adapt
to changing circumstances.
Service providers and local authorities need
to be more flexible in order to adjust their
services to respond to the different needs of
refugee children. Reacting quickly to chang-
ing circumstances and removing bureaucratic
obstacles is of paramount importance to the
success of integrating refugee children in
society.
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• Unaccompanied children should be grant-
ed long-term resident permits
Unaccompanied children usually receive
short-term permits which allow them to stay
in Finland for a period of one to four years. As
a result, they live with constant uncertainty
and fear of being forced to leave the country,
which negatively impacts their develop-
ment and psychological well-being. To foster
integration and a feeling of being accepted by
society, unaccompanied children should be
granted to reside in the country on a long-
term basis.