http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/Focus-areas/Child-rights/Advocacy-in-action/Pages/What-do-YOUth-think.aspx

An increasing number of children in Europe grow without parental care. Despite the attention the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child directed to the situation of children without parental care, their rights are still frequently not respected.

In Europe, some steps have been made to remedy this situation through international standards, guidelines and recommendations. In 2005, the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers adopted a Recommendation on the Rights of Children Living in Residential Institutions and in 2007, three international NGOs, Fédération Internationale des Communautés Educatives (FICE), International Foster Care Organisation (IFCO) and SOS Children's Villages, published European quality standards for out-of-home child care, known as Quality4Children.

Within this framework, the Council of Europe is organising a joint seminar with SOS-Kinderdorf International called Children and Young People in Care: What do YOUth think? The objective is to promote and ensure the rights of children and young people in alternative care in Europe by setting the basis for cooperation between youth representatives and the Council of Europe.

Fifteen children and/or young people (ideally between the ages of 16-24) from alternative care in Europe and five representatives of youth led organisations will be chosen to participate in this seminar. All expenses will be covered by SOS-Kinderdorf International and the Council of Europe.

To apply, download the application form (please see downloadable document in the right column) and send it by 19 October either via email to: brusselsrepresentative@sos-kd.org or by fax: +32/2/537 31 31

Previous Events (general) items

• 03/12/2008: DISABILITY: International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2008
• 01/12/2008: JAMAICA: Inter-American Commission visit
• 25/11/2008: BRASIL: Tercer Congreso Mundial contra la Explotación Sexual de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes
• 23/11/2008: OPT: World day of Prevention of Child Abuse (Arabic)
• 20/11/2008: UNITED KINGDOM: Playing Out: outdoor places = playable spaces?

Last updated 03/10/2008 07:28:09