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PRIORITIZING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR  Ref. Ares(2015)2669679 - 25/06/2015
Ref. Ares(2015)2903970 - 10/07/2015
ALL CHILDREN IN EUROPE AND BEYOND
WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE
POLICY DISCUSSION DRAFT AGENDA 
BRUSSELS I 3 JUNE 2015, VENUE TBC
Co-organized by  UNICEF and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in partnership with the European 
Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights. 
Time 
Topic 
Speakers
9:00—9:10
Opening Remarks
Ms. Caterina Chinnici, Member of the European 
Parliament &Co-chair of the European Parliament 
Intergroup on Children’s Rights
9:10—9:20 
Key Note Address: Children’s Access to Justice: a  Ms. Susan Bissell, UNICEF, Associate Director, Chief of 
matter of rights, rule of law and inclusive 
Child Protection
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Main findings of the study on Children’s 
Ms. Ursula Kilkelly, independent expert
Involvement in Judicial Proceedings in the EU 
(DG Just)
Main findings of the research on child 
Ms. Astrid Podsiadlowski, European Union Agency for 
participation in criminal and civil judicial 
Fundamental Rights, Head of Sector Rights of the Child,
proceedings in 10 EU Member States 
Equality and Citizens’ Rights Department
(professionals’ views)
Main findings of the Research Study on 
Ms. Anne Grandjean, UNICEF Regional Office for Europe 
Children’s Equitable Access to Justice in Central  and Central Asia, Regional Child Protection Specialist
and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
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10:00—10:20  Testimonies: Reaching out to the most vulnerable  •
Mr. Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Defence for Children 
children and supporting them in seeking redress 
International, President and Director for Belgium

Mr. Oliver Lewis, Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, 
Director (TBC)
10:20—10:45  Coffee brea
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10:45—12:15 Moderated Debate 

Ms. Sabina Klaneček, Ministry of Justice of the 
Republic of Slovenia
• What could be the measures taken by the EU  •
Mr. Tam Bail ie, Children's ombudsperson and ENOC 
to enhance children’s access to justice? 
Chair

Mr. Bragi Guðbrandsson, Chair of the Council of 
• How can access to justice for children 
Europe Lanzarote Committee (TBC)
become an integral part of governance and 

EEAS and/or DG Near (TBC)
rule of law reforms in the EU and 

Chair of DROIPEN - Council (TBC)
neighbouring countries?

DG Justice (TBC)

EP Member (TBC)
12:15—12:25 Conclusions 

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights/
UNICEF (TBC)
12:25—12:30  Closing Remarks

Member of the European Parliament (TBC)





PRIORITIZING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR 
ALL CHILDREN IN EUROPE AND BEYOND
WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE
CONFERENCE CONCEPT NOTE
Co-organized  by  UNICEF  and  the European  Union  Agency  for  Fundamental  Rights in  partnership  with the 
European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights. 
Access to justice is a fundamental human right in itself; but it is also an enabling right empowering children 
to  realise  the rights  enshrined  in the UN  Convention on  the Rights of the Child.  Access to justice is  also 
central to good  governance,  sustainable and  inclusive development  and  the  rule  of  law.  As stated  by the 
Committee on the Rights of the Child, ‘for rights to  have meaning,  effective remedies must be available to 
redress violations… (..)’. 
Children in Europe and neighbouring countries continue to have their rights violated, including their right to 
health, to education and to be protected from violence. Yet, only a fraction of children have access to a fair, 
timely and effective remedy - in other words, very few have access to justice. 
Although much progress has taken place in the recent  years, especially through  the introduction of child-
friendly  court  procedures  in  many  countries,  day-to-day  practice  often  does  not  fully  comply  with 
international and European standards. While extensive resources are invested by national governments, the 
EU and other partners to strengthen the rule of law and to reform the justice system, only few are devoted 
explicitly  to  ensure  access  to  justice  for  children.  Justice  systems  that  are  not  adapted  risk  victimising 
children for  a second time,  doing more harm than providing redress.  The most  vulnerable children  suffer 
disproportionally. Access to justice for children is also negatively affected by social norms that still make it 
difficult for children to initiate legal action and seek redress on their own behalf. 
Recent evidence produced by the European Commission,  the EU Agency for  Fundamental rights (FRA) and 
UNICEF  shows  that  tailored  and  targeted  measures  adapted  to  children’s  age,  maturity  and  evolving 
capacities  are  needed  to  ensure  that  all  children  in  contact  with  the  justice  system,  whether  as victims, 
suspects, witnesses or parties to any legal proceedings,  are protected and assisted in claiming their rights. 
Evidence also shows that measures are needed to tackle social norms that tolerate violence against children 
and make it challenging for children to seek and obtain redress. 
Policy makers and practitioners from Europe and beyond are invited to discuss the following key questions:
What do we know about children in contact with justice systems in EU Members States? 
How do children experience access to justice in enlargement and Eastern neighbourhood countries? 
What has been tried and what works in assisting the most vulnerable children in claiming their rights? 
What  are  the  most  common  obstacles  facing children,  and  how  can  child-specific  measures  become  an 
integral part of governance and rule of law reforms in the EU and neighbouring countries? 
For  questions  please  contact:  Anne  Grandjean  at  xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx;  Michaela  Bauer  at 
xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx or Monica Gutierrez at xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxxxxx.xx