Webinar: Five Steps Towards Implementing the Best Interests of The Child | CREAN

The best interest of the child is one of the four guiding principles outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It emphasizes that, in any actions or decisions concerning children and children’s rights, prioritizing their best interests should always be of primary consideration (Article 3.1 CRC). However, as Freeman explains, "The text can be easily stated, but its content and application can be as difficult as any decision gets" (M. Freeman, A Commentary on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Article 3: The Best Interests of the Child, p. 30).

The objective of the webinar is to enhance the understanding of the principle of the best interests of the child as a fundamental right for children. We intend to share our knowledge and expertise on the best interests of the child through the roadmap we have published. Additionally, our goal is to encourage interaction, engagement, and discussion among the participants, fostering meaningful knowledge exchange.

Programme

Introducing the principle of the best interests of the child (theory)

Presentation by KeKi

• Rozelien Van Erdeghem and Simon Truwant

Challenges and opportunities when implementing the best interests of the child (practice)

The group will be divided in two break-out rooms.

• Group 1: The best interests of the child in vulnerable situations
  Thobekile Sithole and John Paul Amah - Global Campus of Human Rights
  
  We recommend this break-out room to professionals or researchers with expertise on children in vulnerable socio-economic situations or with a discriminated identity, e.g. children in foster care, with an adoption or refugee history, growing up in multidimensional poverty or LGBTQI+ persons.

• Group 2: Conflicting interests and the best interests of the child
  Dr. Aisling Parkes - University College Cork
  
  We recommend this break-out room to people with expertise, either through their own professional practice or through their research, on mediating between children, their parents, caregivers, educators, medical, social or juridical aids, or others who strive for the best interest of a child.

In preparation for this workshop, we kindly request participants to proactively select and prepare a case from their professional experience that is directly relevant to the Group theme they have chosen. The case should be one they are willing to share in discussions during the workshop.