[child-rights] Council of Europe calls for greater appreciation of children's needs

Deputy Secretary General calls for greater appreciation of children's needs

Strasbourg, 24.03.2003 - The fifth meeting of the Forum for Children and
Families, the centrepiece of the Council of Europe's activities in respect
of children, will take place from 25-26 March 2003 in Strasbourg.

This meeting of the Forum will focus on the role and competences of
children's ombudsmen in Europe, with the main aim of promoting the creation
of ombudsmen - or similar independent institutions - in all Council of
Europe member states.

Approximately half of the countries belonging to the Organisation have
already set up such bodies. These are brought together within the European
Network of Ombudsmen for Children (ENOC), several representatives of which
will attend the Forum.

Given the importance of the subject to the defence of children's fundamental
rights - and the Council of Europe's involvement in this area - Maud de
Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation, will take
part in the debate at the Forum on 25 March.

In her contribution she will underline the importance of the Council of
Europe's capabilities in the field of child protection and the need for a
multidisciplinary approach in children-related policymaking and for greater
account to be taken of the interests of children and their participation.

Mme de Boer-Buquicchio will also express her particular desire for greater
visibility, awareness and understanding of the conventions, recommendations,
resolutions and judgments on the topic adopted by various different bodies
of the Council of Europe, including the European Court of Human Rights and
the organs of the European Social Charter.

The Forum will also discuss proposals put forward by the Council of Europe's
Parliamentary Assembly to reinforce the Organisation's actions in respect of
children (Recommendations 1460 (2000) and 1551 (2002)).


The 5th Meeting of the Forum for Children and Families will take place on
25-26 March from 9.30 am to 5 pm in Room 7 of the Palais de l'Europe in
Strasbourg.  The first day of the Forum will be open to members of the
press.


       Press Release
Council of Europe Spokesperson and Press Division
Ref: 155a03
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
pressunit@coe.int
internet: www.coe.int/press