News

The High-Level Panel, appointed by the UN Secretary General to advise him on the post-2015 agenda, reported on 30th May. Terre Des Hommes is promoting the highest level of ambition possible to face the lack of care and protection facing children. It welcomes the recommendations for a clear Post-2015 agenda but there is a need to be more ambitious to face the alarming impacts of child protection failures likely to grow in significance.

While views naturally differ on some of the priority settings and wording of particular illustrative goals or targets Terre Des Hommes welcomes this collective attempt for a simple clear agenda. The HLP report, « A new Global Partnership » reflects some very fundamental and « non-negotiable » elements in terms of basic human rights, universal targets and commitments for all countries with national differentiation, inequality, development and sustainability in a single set of goals, mechanisms to ensure accountability and the strong participation of citizens.

The report provides 12 illustrative goals and 57 measurable targets framed in the wake of five transformative shifts labeled: « Leave no one behind », « Put sustainable development at the core », « Transform economies for jobs and inclusive growth », « Build peace and effective, open and accountable institutions for all », « Forge a new global partnership ».

The Interagency Child Protection group of which Terre Des Hommes is a member has successfully been advocating for targets included in the HLP report on child marriage, violence against girls and women and birth registration. We welcome other targets focused on children amongst which the « reduction of violent deaths and eliminate all forms of violence against children ». We will continue lobbying for the Post 2015 agenda to include targets on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor, on countries having strong child protection systems and on the prevent of unnecessary separation of children from families.

Are the HLP recommendations the needed framework to give every child a fair chance in life, and to achieve a pattern of development where dignity and human rights become a reality for all?

These recommendations do not meet the aspirations of the many organisations and individuals who have contributed to the debate around post-2015 advocating for a focus on Child Care and Protection. The lack of care and protection facing children is a global crisis. We continue to urge for a global overarching goal on the care and protection of children: “All children live a life free from all forms of violence, are protected in conflicts and disasters, and thrive in a safe, caring family environment”.

As a civil society organisation, Terre Des Hommes believes it has a responsibility to promote the highest level of ambition possible, rather than promoting or accepting likely to be preferred by member states. Terre Des Hommes as many other civil society organisations support and encourage the UN to continue pushing for the best outcomes for people and planet. Terre Des Hommes shares the optimism and vision on transformation to end poverty through sustainable development and we want to see it happen within our generation.

Download the full report

Bangladesh – Savar, May 15, 2013

Terre des Hommes, fighting against child labour, fighting for corporate social responsibility.

About 1.100 deaths toll in Savar. Responsibilities are shared among many, but differentiated. Terre des Hommes advocates since years for concrete measures to convert Corporate Social Responsibility into reality… and to help those whose human rights are violated in Bangladesh.

When a women was miraculously saved from the Rana Plaza complex some days ago, international media were reporting about 1.100 deaths toll following the collapse of the “famous” garment factory. Bangladesh and the international community are still under shock. But the lessons are already being drawn. Some repeating what most of human rights defenders state since years already; there are shared responsibilities in what occurred in Bangladesh, from multi-national firms to local garment companies owners, from Bangladesh Government to international community.

photo copyright: TdH Italy

Since decades, Terre des Hommes is active both in Bangladesh to fight against child exploitation and in Europe to call for responsibilities of “duty-bearers”. As far as behaviours are keeping such working conditions akin to slavery and exploitation patterns in the garment industry, the Rana Plaza case might not be the last one.

Our field experience in Bangladesh since 1996 – said Bruno Neri, project manager at Terre des hommes Italia - tells us that despite improvements made in recent years, the textile industry in Bangladesh is one of the areas where working conditions are still often inhuman; where the safety of the workers, the wages level, the violence against women and children create situations akin to slavery. And this was confirmed again by a series of very recent research investigations we made.

Terre des Hommes Germany has raised since years the issue of child labor with targeted multi-national garment firms. Taking action and concrete trade measures to convert declarations on Social Corporate Responsibility into a real practice is at the core of Terre des Hommes Germany work in this field. Because the eradication of extreme exploitation of children at work will not take end without a common but differentiated responsibility among actors involved in this extended violation of human rights.

For more information from Terre des Hommes following the Rana Plaza disaster:

Read press release by Terre des Hommes Italy

Read press release by Terre des Hommes Germany

Press contacts

Bruno Neri
Terre des hommes Italia
Senior Programme Manager
Milano, Italia
Tel. +39 0228970418
b.neri@tdhitaly.org

Wolf-Christian Ramm
Terre des Hommes Germany
Press officer
Tel: 05 41 / 71 01-158
presse@tdh.de

Bonn, 20-22 nd March 2013

Advocating for child protection in the post-2015 Development agenda

Terre Des Hommes, SOS Village and Plan International signed-off a series of documents on “Child Protection and the Post-2015 Development Agenda”. In Bonn, the three organisations are calling for “ the Post-2015 development framework to include a goal and targets on child protection.”

To achieve effective progress it is essential that child protection systems are a key part of development agendas and national plans of action, there are accountability mechanisms in place and the involvement of children and youths in the design, implementation and monitoring of child protection services.

Those key messages of a series of reports on Child Protection and Post 2015 Development Agenda (see below 15 th March 2013) were shared at the Bonn Conference on “Advancing The Post 2015 Sustainable Development Agenda”.

These inter-agency reports drafted under the leadership of Family for Every Child call on immediate action : “The alarming impacts of child protection failures are likely to grow in significance unless something is done urgently. Global trends such as climate change, migration and urbanisation are all increasing children's vulnerability and governments are not investing enough resources in building and maintaining comprehensive child protection systems. Children around the world want more support to enable them to grow up free from violence, and within caring, safe families.”

The output documents of the Bonn conference which enabled over 280 international civil society delegates to discuss key issues of the Global Development Agenda include stress on the importance of child protection : “The framework should include children and youth as a central part of it as a goal and as targets on child protection in other sectors”.

More on the outcome of the Bonn Conference:
http://www.berlin-civil-society-center.org/shared-services/post-2015/

March 15, 2013

Protect my Future : a series of papers on “Child Protection in the post-MDG Agenda”

The development community is discussing new objectives on how to eradicate poverty. This is the so called “Post 2015 MDG Agenda”. Terre des Hommes believe that Child Protection and child rights must receive due policy priority in this Agenda. This is an ambitious objective that needs common efforts by child rights defenders. Under the lead work of the NGO “Family for Evey Child”, a group of NGOs joined efforts to produce a series of six thematic position papers aimed at influencing the post-MDG agenda. Terre des Hommes contributed to that common work. We invite any organisation involved in the post-MDG debate to make use of them to promote development based on child rights. You can download the thematic papers here:

- The links between child protection and good governance

- The links between child protection and population dynamics

- The links between child protection and equity

- The links between child protection and health and survival

- The links between child protection and disasters and conflict

- Why child protection matters in the post-2015 development agenda

- Protect my future: the links between child protection and employment and growth

Geneva, March 2013

Terre des Hommes speaks at the Human Rights Council on universal health coverage

Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child

During the 22nd session of the Human Right Council, a full day meeting on the rights of the child was organized on 7 March with a panel of various governmental and non-governmental contributors. This year’s meeting focused on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which includes a wide range of concerns, from psychological and physical care to protection against violence, sexual exploitation and discrimination.

Ignacio Packer, Secretary General of Terre Des Hommes International Federation, was part of the panel. He was asked to provide his perspective on what was the biggest challenge to ensure universal health coverage for children and particularly those from discriminated communities. According to the TDHIF Secretary General, one of the most crucial goals to achieve is the removal of all financial barriers that can prevent children to have access to proper care and especially user fees which disappearance leads to very positive results in terms of health coverage, as shown in many experiences. But to provide quality services, both state and international funding must be assured and properly invested in information, formation of the staff, infrastructures and equipments. Health spending must be focused on mother, child and reproductive health. Studies show that a small increase in budget of the Ministry of health (as low as 10%) in many low-income countries is enough to completely remove user fees and result in important decrease of child mortality and illnesses.

Various representatives of states contributed to this meeting and some topics were often addressed. The issue of children infected by HIV/AIDS is a major concern. Only 28% of them are treated worldwide and the infection from mother to child on pregnancy, which can be avoided by administrating anti-viral, is far from being eradicated. Another issue addressed was the problem of discriminated and marginalized communities, whose children are often deprived of health and social services and unaware of their rights.

The various contributors to this meeting tried to propose some solutions and plans of action. To achieve the task of improving health care for children worldwide, it is important to act in three phases: monitoring, reviewing and taking remedial actions and turn it into a permanent cycle. Health issues must be analysed in medical, social, political and legal frameworks and specific indicators must be established. Clear definitions on what are the minimal health services that everyone should benefit must be stated and be translated into laws. Finally, the participants emphasised on the importance of cooperation between governments, international organizations, medical and social staffs and members of the civil society.

Link:

Universal Health Coverage for Children in the post UN development framework

On the occasion of the Human Rights Council, Terre des Hommes International Federation also organised a side-event on 4 March called “Universal Health Coverage for Children in the post UN development framework: a specific focus on children in the context of migration”.

About 50 persons participated in the side-event representing governments, international organisations and NGOs.

The first contributor, Jean-Pierre Papart of Terre des Hommes Foundation, described a project of the organization in Burkina Faso. In this country, more than 40% of the health coverage fees were in charge of the patient. This represented a far too big expense for people living in poverty and was an obstacle for universal access to healthcare. In 2007, Terre des Hommes introduced a system of exemption of the patient fee, which the support of the EU. After 5 years, it shows excellent results: there are 3 times more children’s medical consultations and the child mortality decreased of 13%. It also lowered the cost of medical care due to a better control of drugs usage. This shows that universal access to healthcare is enforceable at affordable costs.

Davide Mosca, Director of the Migration Health Division of the International Organization for Migrations, reminded that migrants contribute to the global economy and that migration is a way to redistribute the wealth. But unfortunately, migrants are often discriminated and minors are frequently considered as migrants before being seen as children. In many countries, migrants don’t have a full access to healthcare. To improve the situation, the Global Consultation on Health of Migrant (2010) has set 4 principles:
1) Monitoring Migrant Health
2) Setting policy and legal frameworks
3) Implement a migrant-sensitive health system
4) Encourage partnership and cooperation between countries

Isabel Obadiaru, Project manager at the Association for the Promotion of Human Rights, introduced the PICUM platform, which is focused on the question of undocumented migrants. An interview with a migrant who strived to obtain a legal status to raise her children in the best conditions, illustrated how restrictive migration policies can affect children and how administrative barriers can limit their access to proper health and social services. Besides procedures and administrative conditions, there are also other obstacles i.e. discrimination, language and cultural barriers, preventing undocumented families from accessing healthcare. Through a special public health strategy (FemmesTISCHE project) APDH sensitizes disadvantaged migrant women to their right to health and provides specific information to facilitate access to healthcare providers for them and for their children."

Alice Farmer, from Human Right Watch, made a contribution that focused on the problem of migrant children, who are often put in detention on their arrival. This confinement with adults has strong impacts on their mental and physical health. Children in detention often witness violent acts and are sometimes subject to various forms of abuse. Alice Farmer gave exampled of states that systematically put migrants in detention before any age verification. Proving that someone is a minor can take several months during which the child lives in uncertainty and can develop several psychological damages that can ultimately lead to traumas, depressions and suicide attempts. Alice Farmed concluded that detention centers for migrants are no place for children and exhorted authorities to stop this practice.

More information on Human Rights Watch's work in migrant children can be found here: http://www.hrw.org/topic/childrens-rights/refugees-and-migrants

In the same thematic, Jeroen Van Hove presented the Global Campaign to End Immigration Detention of Children, which he coordinates. The association argues that children have the right to speak and to be involved in the decision making. It also advocates for alternatives to detention for migrants. Amongst many actions, the campaign organized a theatre representation where 6 young migrants have been able to express, in their own way, their feelings and experiences of migration. The campaign also offers the possibility to all children to leave a video recorded message of support, accessible on the website (see www.youtube.com/speakupbehindbars).

The final message delivered during the side-event is that best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in the enforcement of immigration laws and cooperation between states, NGOs and International organizations on these particular issues should be promoted.

During the Human Rights Council, Terre des Hommes also associated itself to oral statements with several other NGOs on child protection as a fundamental part of the post-2015 development agenda, and on health and child detention.

March , 2013

Terre des Hommes at the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

603 million women still live in countries where violence against women and girls is not considered as a crime. Raffaele K. Salinari, President of the Terre des Hommes International Federation, calls upon to put an end to this situation.

Terre des Hommes, which is committed for 50 years in the protection of children worldwide, made an oral statement at the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women to present the research “Violence against young women, a violation of human rights” prepared for TDH by the law firm Paul Hastings. This report shows the need to have a harmonization of international laws for the prevention, control and criminalization of all forms of violence against women and girls.

An abstract of this study is available here.

The map of violence against women and girls continue to widen. And girls are silent and invisible victims of violence, abuse and trafficking.

WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that 150 million girls in the world have experienced sexual abuses, 10 million girls are forced to marry before the age of majority, and 16 million minors are giving birth and therefore are taking the risk to face several health issues. All these girls do not have the opportunity to go to school and will often be marginalized in terms of social and economic development.

In Italy, violence against women and girls takes many forms and data collected from Terre des Hommes, in the framework of the Campaign “Indifesa” in 2012, show that there has been an increase of sex offenders who take girls as victims.
Therefore, it is urgent to invest in girls and women’s protection in every country, through education, prevention and laws enforcement. To improve the situation, Terre des Hommes works on many projects dealing with various issues, including forced marriage in Bangladesh, minor mothers in Ivory Coast and girl’s infanticides in South India.

Link to the Indifesa Campaign (in Italian): www.indifesa.org

Contact : Raffaele K. Salinari : +39 329 2253773

Geneva, March 4, 2013

Geneva, Palais des Nations, 4th March 2013 – Conference on “Health for children in the context of migration”

At the occasion of the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Terre des Hommes International Federation is organizing a side-event conference on “Universal Health Coverage for Children in the post 2015 UN development framework: a specific focus on children in the context of migration” (Palais des Nations, Room XXV, 2-4pm). In collaboration with IOM, PICUM, End Immigration Detention of Children. This event is organized under the framework of the Destination Unknown Campaign to protect children on the move (www.destination-unknown.org).

See full program of the conference

February 2013

TDHIF in the top 100 NGOs

In its January & February issue, The Global Journal features a list of the top 100 NGOs. This international ranking is based on three key criteria relevant to the activities of NGOs: impact, innovation and sustainability. It aims to highlight the activities of the non-profit sector and to reflect the growing global impact of NGO work. Terre des Hommes International Federation is part of this top 100 list.

Continuing to refine its evaluation methodology, The Global Journal considered a pool of approximately 450 NGOs to make its ranking. Globally, the best represented sub-sectors overall were Development (23), followed by Health (17), Education (15), Children & Youth (13), Environment (10) and Peace-building (10). While the United States outpaced other countries in geographical terms – with one-third of the NGOs headquartered there – another third of the NGOs featured were based in developing countries led by India (6), Brazil (5) and Kenya (4). Only the United Kingdom (11) and Switzerland (9) outperformed these emerging actors.

February 15, 2013

Mali : Responding to the humanitarian situation in Mali

Segou, 200 Km north of Bamako. A new health operation base was recently opened by Terre des hommes Foundation Lausanne. Neighboring villages in the region have seen recent influx of thousands of displaced persons from the towns in the north, fleeing from the armed conflict. Particular attention is being paid to the children who have been separated from their parents or become victims of the violence. Tdh's priority is to bring aid to the health centers in this region, the worst hit by malnutrition. And to improve the conditions of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

Source: www.tdh.ch

Terre des Hommes' efforts to provide emergency support to population affected by the armed conflict is made through common actions by various TDH organisations, including TDH Germany, TDH Switzerland/Genève and TDH France. To know more about Tdh actions in Mali, go to:

http://www.tdh.de/was-wir-tun/projekte/afrika/mali/terre-des-hommes-hilft-kindern-in-mali.html

http://www.terredeshommes.fr/actualites/detail-actualite.html?actu=166&consult=1

January 2013

Mali : Responding to the humanitarian situation in Mali

As French and other forces conduct an offensive against rebel factions in the northern districts of Mali, Terre Des Hommes is working with the poorest and most vulnerable in the country.

photo copyright: tdh.ch

Terre Des Hommes is on the ground conducting a humanitarian health service delivery program in Segou (districts of Masina and Markala). It is now scaling-up to a larger humanitarian response in this conflict-affected area including health, nutrition, clean water and child protection. Terre Des Hommes calls on civilians and especially children to be protected and for their rights to be guaranteed as the conflict in Northern Mali escalates.

Terre Des Hommes has worked in Mali for over thirty years but started to increase its interventions in 2012. Terre Des Hommes’s current portfolio of projects includes health projects, protection projects with a focus on child labor and child mobility (www.destination-unknown.org), projects addressing children's nutritional needs and families' incomes. With direct implementation in the humanitarian context or in support to Malian organisations, all these projects have a long term perspective and contribute for Mali to achieve its national development plan.

Terre Des Hommes work takes place in two of Mali's eight regions (Ségou and Sikasso) and in the Bamako district.

Read the press release of Terre des Hommes France on the situation in MALI” on : http://www.terredeshommes.fr/no/actualites/detail-actualite.html?actu=166&back=1

January 2013

Terre des hommes Lausanne: Burkina Faso - Innovative technology for health

In Burkina Faso , Terre des hommes uses innovative strategies to enable improvement of the quality of diagnoses made by health workers, who are often under-trained and under-motivated. The Electronic Register of Consultations (REC) is one of the bold and promising innovations devised by Tdh. In line with the international standards for integral treatment of children's ailments, it has been chosen by the World Health Organization to appear in the 2012 Compendium of innovative technologies for the health of people with few resources.

Geneva, December 2012

Taking stock of the German two-year chairmanship in the Security Council Working Group „Children and Armed Conflict“

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for “Children and Armed Conflict”, Leila Zerrougui, Judge at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Hans-Peter Kaul, UNICEF director for external affairs, Yoka Brandt, Commissioner for UN affairs from the German Foreign Office, Otto Lampe, and the representative of the German Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, Ralf Willinger from Terre des Hommes Germany, hold a round-table on 12 December 2012 to take stock of the German chairmanship 2011/2012 of the thematic Security Council’s Working Group.

During these two years, the resolution 1998 of the Security Council, namely the monitoring and report mechanism (MRM), was expanded: beside parties of conflict, which recruit children, displace and use sexual violence against them, parties that attack schools and hospitals concerted can also be put on the “list of shame”. Resolution 2068 of September 2012 strengthens the mechanism of child protection. Also new measures in handling so called “persistent perpetrators”, which have been violating children’s rights for more than five years, are to be found.

Ralf Willinger from Terre des Hommes Germany recalled the ongoing “Red Hand Campaign” to stop the use of child soldiers which gathered more than 370’000 participants in more than 50 countries. He also called for stopping the massive exports of arms, and especially small arms and ammunitions to conflict areas and countries with serious violations of human rights.

November 26, 2012

Terre des Hommes International Federation General Assembly in Luxembourg

On November 23-24, 2012, Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF) held its General Assembly in Luxembourg and took several landmark decisions in order to better fulfil its mission of implementing children’s rights in a fast changing world.

The Strategic Plan 2012-2014, which guides the TDHIF activities, aims at increasing global efficiency and results. It provides for enhancing the Terre des Hommes common identity, developing joint projects among the Terre des Hommes organisations, rationalising the advocacy framework and opening up to new partners in an innovative way. In this framework, the TDHIF General Assembly discussed on governance reforms embedded in the need to respond effectively to growing external challenges and to align structure, roles and responsibilities. The consultative process will continue in 2013.

The General Assembly also welcomed the launch of the TDHIF new campaign “Destination Unknown” to protect children on the move, claim for their rights and offer opportunities for their future. Campaign messages, publications and demands are presented in a new website
www.destination-unknown.org

Finally, the TDHIF General Assembly and the Terre des Hommes organisations reaffirmed their strong commitment to continually uphold child protection measures within their own programmes according to the internationally recognised Keeping Children Safe Standards. They also committed to set up minimum common standards, closely monitor their activities and support each other for an optimal prevention and response to concrete cases.

Rome, 29 November 2012

The role of international cooperation in tackling sexual violence against children. International Conference, 29-30 November 2012.

International Conference Hall
P.le della Farnesina, 1
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome, Italy

Terre des Hommes Italy is taking an active part in this event in which the Chair of Terre des Hommes International Federation will intervene as speaker. To consult the full program, more information and media release and the participation of Terre des Hommes: go to http://destination-unknown.org

Rome, 29 November 2012

Violence and Abuse against Young Girls and Teenagers: There is Room to Strengthen Harmonization within the European Union

Terre des Hommes report presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Rome, 29 - 30 November 2012 —The fight against violence and abuse on young girls and teenagers is a priority for every country and every international institution. In this context, the European Union can become a crucial contributor toward harmonizing the different types of offenses and the minimum sanctions that Member States must apply. This is one of the key results from the research “Violence Against Young Women: A Human Rights Violation” presented today as a preview by Terre des Hommes at the international Conference of the Council of Europe “The role of International Cooperation in tackling sexual violence against children” at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.

“The issue of violence against women and children has been addressed as a priority at international and national levels, on the assumption that it represents a human rights violation. The universal nature of this phenomenon was the main reason of a lot of efforts developed by International and European institutions and many countries in fighting violence against women and children. These efforts have also included the introduction in the national legislations of specific offenses, as recently done in Italy with the ratification of the Lanzarote Convention on the protection of children from exploitation and sexual abuse”stated Raffaele Salinari, President of Terre des Hommes Italia Onlus and of Terre des Hommes International Federation.

The research “Violence Against Young Women: A Human Rights Violation” was carried out by Paul Hastings in the framework of Terre des Hommes’ campaign “Indifesa” (Unprotected) for the protection of girl child rights in the world and is available at: http://www.terredeshommes.it/

press release - print version

"Violence against young women: a human rights violation
by Paul Hastings
full report | abstract

Brussels, November 16, 2012

The 7th EU Forum on the Rights of the Child was a key moment for us to present our international campaign “Destination Unknown” to 190 participants from EU Member States, EU institutions and child rights actors in Europe.

This year, for the first time, the issue of children on the move has been put on the agenda of the 7th EU Forum on the Rights of the Child. For Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF) this represents a clear sign that the European Commission is taking on board our recommendations to address “children on the move” as an issue for policy change.

“There is need to ensure a “continuum” of protection of minors moving and arriving into Europe” said Paul Nemitz, from the European Commission, DG Justice. Veronique Arnault, Director of Human Rights and Democracy Division from European External Action Service emphasized on this issue: “The number of child migrants and unaccompanied minors entering the EU territory has increased and is a growing phenomenon. An holistic approach to child protection ensuring that no child falls through a child protection gap requires coherence and consistency between EU external and internal policies” said. Those were key messages launched at the opening of the forum by the European Commission and the European External Action Service.

“The EU, as global player in the world, has the responsibility to promote child protection systems for children on the move in its internal and external policies. We are pleased to hear that the European Commission is now recognizing this approach. If we want the EU to play its role to protect these children, there is a need to address children on the move as a whole, regardless of their status, both in Europe and outside Europe”: This is what how Salvatore Parata, Head European Office of Terre des Hommes International Federation addressed the forum participants. During the forum, Terre des Hommes channeled expertise and recommendations on children on the move.

The conclusions of the EU Forum on the Rights of the Child will be collected in a report by the European Commission (to be published on DG Justice webpage). The importance of child protection systems as transversal objective in all EU policies, internal and external, and the need to address children on the move as a group of children in need of specific protection have been recognized and kept in the conclusions of the Forum.

TDHIF EU office
16 November 2012.

Brussels, October 31st, 2012

Terre des Hommes invited by the European Commission to bring expertise on Children on the move at the 7th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, Brussels, 13-14 November 2012.

On 13 and 14 November 2012, the European Commission will organise the 7 th European Forum on the Rights of the Child. The Forum gathers 100+ actors from European Institutions, EU Member States, Ombudspersons for children, international organisations and NGOs to advise the European Commission on how to mainstream the rights of the child across all EU policies.

This year the Forum aims to explore how the EU can best support national child protection systems. One of the topics will focus on children on the move . Others topics discussed are on violence, disabled children, juvenile justice and child custody. Terre des Hommes was invited by the European Commission to bring expertise, recommendations and good practices based on its field projects in Europe and outside Europe. This EU Forum on the Rights of the Child will be an opportunity for Terre des Hommes to inform EU States, EU institutions and child rights actors in Europe on its new international campaign “Destination Unknown”.

Brussels, October 31st, 2012

TDHIF advocates for health at EU and international level

In September 2012, at the initiative of Terre des Hommes Foundation Lausanne, Terre des Hommes International Federation together with Medecins du Monde, Help and representatives from the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso and Niger, met in Brussels with key decision and policy makers from the European Commission, DG DEVCO and DG ECHO, and Members of the European Parliament, Mr Filip Kaczmarek, Mme Nicole Kiil-Nielsen and Mr Ricardo Cortés Lastra . TDHIF presented to them the results of the pilot projects (funded by the EC) implemented in Burkina Faso and Niger and based on the “third payer system” in the health sector. This served as basis to push the European Commission and European Parliament to integrate and include the third payer system in the EC development programmes as innovative and sustainable instrument to make universal access to health care a reality for all. TDHIF called the EU to reflect its commitments on Global Health in the proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.

T erre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF), together to other NGOs, is continuing to advocate for universal health coverage in developing countries also at global level. On the occasion of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank held in Tokyo from 9 to 14 October, civil society groups presented an open letter to World Bank president Jim Yong Kim. This letter has been signed by 110 organizations from every region of the world, including TDHIF, asking the World Bank to support countries to offer free healthcare to their citizens; scale up investment in public health systems in developing countries, and collaborate with the World Health Organization and other global health institutions to support developing countries to achieve universal health coverage.

Geneva, October 12th, 2012

The Rights of All Children in the context of international migration
Terre des Hommes at the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

“As UN CRC Committee, we are here to listen to you, as our partners, to get your views and recommendations on how to better protect children in the context of international migration, as this is a fast evolving challenge. A child on the move is a vulnerable child. And the situation gets more complicated when the child is a girl, or disabled, or coming from a minority community or a poor community”, said Jean Zermatten, Chair of the UN CRC.

Among the 200+ participants, several children addressed the debate in telling their experience of violation of their human rights in the context of migration. They told how their views and voices were generally ignored. They launched an appeal so that they could be “heard and understood” when it comes to their right to a voluntary but protected mobility experience.

Terre des Hommes participated in this General Day Discussion to channel recommendations.Those focus on the need for an agreed common definition of children on the move. On the need to build cooperation among NGO and Government to develop protective responses based on the NGOs experience in trans-national collaboration. Terre des Hommes also strongly appeals to put an end to detention and deportation of children based on their migration status.

When the child moves, Terre des Hommes advocates for a continuum of care and protection for this child, by ensuring service and protection are available along the trajectory of the child. We must also develop solutions to ensure the children’s safety when they are still at home, while in transit, and upon reaching their destination.

In communities of origin of children, Terre des Hommes calls for the support of the community so that it can offer educational opportunities, vocational training and other cultural, leisure and development opportunities for their children, including for children whose parents have migrated. This is related to the still ignored consideration of children in the debate on “migration and development” . Terre des Hommes also raised the problem of under-18 years old EU citizens moving within the EU and the legislative/policy gap in EU practices between EU and non EU citizens.

Finally, Terre des Hommes advocates towards the authorities for safer migration opportunities and to make sure that the best interests of the child is the prevailing consideration in any decision taken.

“The success of this Day of General Discussion Day is a strong contribution for Children on the move to become visible in the current discussions on child protection. The main outputs of this work are to be relayed at different advocacy events such as TDH will be doing at next Global Forum for Migration and Development in 6 weeks’ time in Africa” said Ignacio Packer, Secretary General of Terre des Hommes International Federation.

The conclusions that will be produced by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will certainly represent an important advocacy tool and a policy reference. For Terre des Hommes, this day represented a good opportunity to learn more on the issue, and on the positions raised by NGOs, governments, researchers and the UN Committee itself. This is if importance for Terre des Hommes to continue learning in the framework of its international campaign “Destination Unknown”.

Geneva, 28 September 2012

Submission for the Committee on the Rights of the Child Day of General Discussion on “The Rights of All Children in the Context of International Migration”

Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF) consists of ten non-governmental organisations, based in Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland (comprising two organizations: Terre des Hommes Switzerland and the Terre des Hommes Foundation). Their mission is to support children without any form of discrimination and advocate for the protection of their rights. They operate programmes all around the world and have acquired experience in assisting children on the move in a variety of circumstances, when children move for different reasons within their own countries or across borders, whether separated and unaccompanied or accompanied by their parents or close relatives. ...

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Rome - Italy, October 10th, 2012

InDifesa Campaign Press Conference

Sala Monumentale - Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Largo Chigi, 19 - Roma

All over the world little girls still are the silent and invisible victims of violence, abuse, traffic and poverty. The continuous violation of their rights and discrimination of all types bring about their lesser access to education, nourishment and health care, and make them the victims of cultural, social, economic and social exploitation. This happens also in the more developed countries where young and little girls are most at risk of always being runners-up.

On the occasion of the first UN Day of Child Girl, Terre des Hommes Italy presents the dossier “The condition of baby girls and adolescent girls in the world” and its campaign in their defence in order to guarantee them education, health care, protection from violence and abuse the world over.

Are invited to the conference: Elsa Fornero - Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Andrea Riccardi - Minister for International Cooperation and Integration, Patrizia de Rose - Head of Department for Equal Opportunities , Alessandra Mussolini - President of Bicameral Commission for Childhood and Adolescence, Virginia Murillo , UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Vincenzo Spadafora - President of Guarantor Authority for Childhood and Adolescence , Sonia Bergamasco - Actress and testimonial of the Campaign, Luigi Contu - Director of Ansa Press Agency, Nadia Muscialini, Director of ‘ Soccorso Rosa' at Ospedale San Carlo in Milan, Lucia Romeo Director of ‘SBAM' - Sportello Bambino Maltrattato at Clinica Mangiagalli in Milan , Anna Maria Tarantola - President of RAI

R.S.V.P.: You are kindly asked to confirm your presence within and not after 5/10/2012, in order to be able to ask for permits to Palazzo Chigi.

Fondazione Terre des Hommes

Tel. 02 28970418

Email : comunicazione(at)tdhitaly.org

June 26, 2012

Making child rights visible in the EU multiannual financial framework 2014-2020

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is a spending long-term plan that translates the EU priorities into financial terms. From mid-2011 onwards, the European Commission presented its proposals for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the budget cycle 2014-2020. The EU institutions entered a new cycle of financial framework (MFF) negotiations which are expected to run until mid - 2013 allowing to the MFF package to enter into force in 2014.

The EU budget is composed of five main headings, covering external and internal actions. Terre des Hommes International Federation is closely monitoring and following the EU negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework in order to ensure that child rights are identified as a cross-cutting theme of EU funding policies and programmes. In partnership with other international NGOs, Terre des Hommes has produced a position paper on the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 containing analysis and recommendations to make children visible in the EU budget and urging the EU to translate its commitment towards children's rights into action.

Please click here to download the Position on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework

June 20, 2012

Launch of the “Ratify OP3CRC International Coalition”

On 20 June 2012, the new international coalition focusing on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure was officially launched, after the session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Around 60 participants took part to the event, including NGO representatives (from child rights and human rights NGOs) and State representatives (the 10 co-sponsoring States, including the Ambassadors of these missions, and representatives of Belgium, the US, Djibouti and Switzerland).

Slovakia, Germany and Finland indicated that they were keen to be amongst the first 10 States parties. They also invited all other States to join them and sign and ratify the OP.

Yanghee Lee, Vice-chairperson, said that the Committee on the Rights of the Child has just finalized a draft of its Rules of Procedure to the Optional Protocol and that it is in a consultation process with partners and is aiming to adopt them during the September session.

Terre des Hommes International Federation is a member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition. The mission of the Coalition is to:

a) Raise awareness about the OP3CRC,
b) Disseminate information, tools and ideas to enable interested partners to engage in the ratification of the OP3CRC, and
c) Pursue the rapid entry into force of the OP3CRC.

, June 19, 2012

EU strategy on trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016 and the development of child protection systems

On 19 June 2012, the European Commission adopted a Communication "The EU
strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016".
With this Communication, the Commission is focusing on concrete actions that
will support and complement the implementation of EU legislation on
trafficking (Directive 2011/36/EU) - whose deadline for transposition by the
Member States is April 2013.

The strategy is a set of concrete and practical measures to be implemented
over the next five years and is based on five key priorities:

better identifying and protecting the victims
increasing prosecution of traffickers
development of child protection systems
setting up of national law-enforcement units on human trafficking
the creation of Joint investigation teams including national authorities and EU agencies.

The Commission will in 2014 fund the development of guidelines on child
protection systems. Member States should strengthen child protection systems
for trafficking situations and ensure where return is deemed to be the
child's best interest, the safe and sustainable return of children to the
country of origin, in and outside the EU, and prevent them from being
retrafficked. In 2014, together with the European Union Agency for
Fundamental Rights, the Commission intends to develop a best practice model
on the role of guardians and/or representatives of child victims of
trafficking.

TDHIF News on Rio+20 series, June 2012

Terre des Hommes defends ecological rights of children at the Rio+20 landmark Conference

The UN Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from 20 to 22 June 2012, aims at bringing about real change by setting a new development agenda and galvanizing progress towards a sustainable future. The Conference focuses on two themes: a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and the institutional framework for sustainable development. The Conference will adopt an outcome document expected to highlight the way forward. The Conference will be preceded by the People’s Summit on 15-23 June and the Sustainable Development Dialogues on 16-19 June.

At Rio+20, governments, major groups and other civil society sectors, including business and industry, are also expected to launch new voluntary commitments and initiatives for sustainable development, which will be compiled in a registry of commitments as part of the legacy of the Conference. More than 50,000 people are expected to participate to the Conference and over 500 side events are planned.

Terre des Hommes will actively participate at the Rio+20 Conference which represents a milestone in a process started in 2011 by a campaign for ecological rights of children. Children are particularly affected by environmental degradation, because they are still developing and a healthy environment is a precondition for their physical and mental health. Children must also live with the long-term consequences of global environmental damage: ruthless exploitation of natural resources, the loss of biodiversity and other irrevocable ecological damage darken children’s future prospects. Marginalized groups of children such as working children dealing with toxic substances in mining or environmental refugee children are particularly concerned. However, although coming generations will have to pay for the unscrupulous handling of nature, their interests, rights and voices usually go completely unheard in the world of politics and business.

For all these reasons, Terre des Hommes is running its campaign for ecological rights of children and has issued studies on climate change, pesticides and mining and how they affect children as well as a review of existing standards relating to ecological rights of children. Together with other German NGOs, Terre des Hommes also calls for an "ombudsperson for future generations” and this demand is now part of the outcome document of the Conference.

For more information: http://www.righttothefuture.org/

Terre des Hommes activities for Rio+20 have started with a “Rio-Caravan” in end-May, organised by project partners in Bolivia and Brazil. Youth volunteers from around the world have met in Bolivia and went on a four weeks tour, travelling from Titicaca lake in Bolivia to the “Copacabana” beach of Rio, displaying banners, drawings
and writings with their messages for Rio in locations which demonstrate high levels of environmental degradation. They are are accompanied by the theatre group “Trono”, which has produced a play for the Rio Summit.

At the Rio Conference itself, Terre des Hommes will organise two official side events, one on "Social Justice for Future Generations" in cooperation with World Future Council, Social Watch, and Earth Charter International on June 15, 11.30-13.00, and the other one on the launch of the "Reflection Group Report on Global Development Perspectives" in cooperation with Global Policy Forum, Social Watch, Third World Network, Dag Hammerskjöld Foundation, Development Alternative with Women for a New Era (Dawn) and Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation on June 16, 11.30-13.00. Both side events will take place in RioCentro, the official conference venue.

Terre des Hommes will take part in the "Youth Blast", the official youth conference for Rio+20 on 10-12 June organized by the Major Group Youth and Children in hosting two workshops: one will present the "theatre caravan" and show experiences of youth to raise awareness on ecological problems; the other one will allow participants to paint their "Messages for Rio" on banners.

Terre des Hommes will host a "Foro" with numerous events on biological and cultural diversity during the "Peoples Summit" on 19-20 June and display around 400 banners with youth "messages for Rio".

Terre des Hommes calls on to the Rio Conference to:

Give a clear signal for social and ecological transformation including binding and serious steps and timing
Take up the demand for ecological child rights and ombudspersons for future generations in the final Rio declaration
Reinforce the principles of sustainability
Initiate a process of defining new standards and indicators for global wealth (post MDG’s) until 2015

Invitation to side event - Reflection Group on Global development Perspectives

Flyer - Social Justice for Future Generations

Blog by Ignacio Parker

March 2012

Detention as an alternative measure:
Restorative justice and diversion as primary resort in juvenile
justice

In the context of the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, Annual full day meeting on the Rights of the Child, Defence for Children International (DCI) and Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHI) organised a side event on restorative justice in juvenile justice system on Monday 5 March 2012. This side-event was sponsored by Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN and Permanent Mission of Paraguay to the UN.

This side-event provided a significant opportunity to discuss the situation faced by children in conflict with the law and in detention. Emphasis was placed on detention measure as an alternative, the consequences of detention on children, monitoring of the conditions in detention and the basic principles of restorative juvenile justice.

Mr. Bernard BOËTON of Terre des Hommes defined restorative juvenile justice as “a way of treating children in conflict with the law with the aim of repairing individual, relational and social harm caused by the committed offence.” He also stressed that “restorative juvenile justice should only be used when there is a sufficient evidence to charge child offender and with the free and voluntary consent of the victim and the offender.”

Participants:
H.E. Mr. François ROUX, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the UN
Dr. Mario TORRES PORTILLO, Child-psychologist and Director of DCI-Paraguay
Representative of the Permanent Mission of Paraguay to the UN
Mr. Marcos GUILLÉN, DCI Latin America
Mr. Bernard BOËTON, Terre des Hommes
Mr. Benoit VAN KEIRSBILCK, President of DCI Belgium (MODERATOR)

Please click here to view presentation on restorative justice (.mov 15 Mb)

March 2012

The Terre des Hommes International Federation is very pleased to announce the nomination of its new Secretary General, Ignacio Packer, a committed and talented advocate for the rights of children and an experienced manager in the field.

Having been Director of the Programme Department at the Terre des Hommes Foundation in Lausanne (Switzerland) since 2000, Ignacio Packer assumed the role of Secretary General of the Terre des Hommes International Federation on March 5, 2012.

With more than 25 years of experience in humanitarian and development work, Ignacio Packer has extensive field experience, with several resident assignments in Africa, Asia and Latin America and over 140 short term assignments. After initially working in financial auditing, Ignacio Packer joined the development sector as a health economist (MSc. York, UK). In his work, Ignacio Packer aims to combine high quality operational work, applied research and capacity building. He has also worked for Médecins Sans Frontières, the European Association for Development and Health, and the Swiss Tropical Institute.

Terre des Hommes International Federation wishes Ignacio Packer every success in this challenging and important role.

February, 2012

An Ombudsperson for Future Generations

The Rio+20 Summit offers a huge chance to stand up for future generations. Tell your country’s leaders we need a future generation defender !

Leading a healthy and fulfilling life is something each of us strives for. But for future generations this basic right is being severely threatened by a political and economic system that doesn’t take into account their needs or the impact our actions are having on the environment. Driven by profits and short term gain politicians, corporations and financial institutions are putting people and planet in danger. This must stop.

Decision makers of the present must make certain that the basic human dignity and environmental conditions needed to live a self-determined life are preserved for all people living today and in the future.

Thankfully there is an alternative! Several countries have introduced an Ombudsperson for Future Generations, with the task of protecting the environment and social conditions for the benefit of both current and future generations. This tested and working institution engages with the public and responds to their concerns, increasing trust and participation in politics and makes sure that laws being introduced don’t harm our planet and generations to come.

This June, a United Nations Conference will take place in Rio de Janeiro, 20 years after the first 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Rio + 20 will be the biggest world gathering on the topic of sustainability ever, and we are all looking for real decisions to be made there. Rather than more soft promises pushing responsibility another 20 years into the future, we need to see some concrete and immediate institutional decisions to be taken. Ombudspersons for Future Generations is a concrete proposal that has already shown results in Hungary, Wales, New Zealand and other countries where it has been introduced.

Sign the petition now to demand a planet defender for your country!

February 12, 2012

Anniversary of the Red Hand Campaign 2012 – A call to action

Ten years have passed since the UN-treaty came into effect banning the use of children under the age of 18 in war.

However, it is a sad fact that there are still about 250,000 children being forced to fight in armed combat. To many people around the world this is an unacceptable tragedy. For this reason all over the world numerous events have been organized aimed at both raising public awareness for the plight of child soldiers and demanding law enforcement of the straight 18 policy. Hundreds of thousands of people have participated in the Red Hand Day Campaign, giving their handprint in red paint as a symbol of protest and solidarity.

During the last years more than 350,000 red hand prints have been collected – an impressive result. A much-noticed culminating event was the handing over of red hand prints to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in New York in 2009 and Federal President Horst Köhler in Berlin.

On occasion of this year‘s Red Hand Day Terre des Hommes (Germany) volunteers, youth teams, teachers, students and people from all kinds of civil society groups are once again taking action to push for child soldiers issues. They are trying to mobilise political will by approaching the authorities at every possible level. The policy makers are expected to use their personal and political influence to take action against the use of child soldiers.

December 2011

European Development Days, Warsaw

Migrant children as ghosts for the EU Member States

“The illegal detention of minors had peaks up to 60 days. During detention, minors were abandoned in a sort of legal limbo. Minors simply did not exist for all those authorities that could protect them because they were not duly reported to them. They were like ghosts for the Italian authorities.” On the occasion of the European Development Days, Federica Giannotta from Terre des Hommes Italy presented the experience of migrant children arrived in Lampedusa after the Arab Spring and denounced the ad hoc response given by the Italian government to tackle the emergency.

On this occasion, Terre des Hommes urged the EU to take correction measures aimed to prevent the EU Member States from repeating the “Lampedusa model” and the EU member states to replace the security approach with a human rights based approach in their migration policies and a child based approach for children migrants.

“As often the immigration legislative framework is in conflict with the Child Rights Convention, child protection concerns should override the implementation of immigration measures. There should be n o compromise to the protection of the rights of the child and this throughout the movement process". "A ny State, as party of the UNCRC, has the duty to protect any child encountered on its territory and respect the four core principle of the UNCRC: the best interest of the child, non discrimination, the right to express his/her view and the right to life, survival and development”. These are some of the key messages delivered by Ignacio Packer, Director of Thematic Programmes at the Terre des Hommes Foundation in Lausanne and Incoming General Secretary of Terre des Hommes International Federation.

A final recommendation was launched to the European Commission to create a common space to review and increase the dialogue between Civil Society Organizations and the European Commission in the framework of the implementation of the EU Global Approach to Migration and Mobility.

In response to this statement, Rob Rozenburg, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission's DG Home Affairs, accepted the invitation launched. This is an important opportunity to start and increase the dialogue with the EC as a part of a process towards the UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development 2013. TDHIF will continue to develop its advocacy on the issue of children on the move in the next years, both at international and EU level.

December 2011

TDHIF participation at 6th Edition of European Development Days,
Warsaw 15-16 December 2011

On 15 and 16 December, the European Commission and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the 6th edition of the European
Development Days, a key event bringing together the international development community to analyse and review the links between development and human rights.

On that occasion, TDHIF, in collaboration with the European Network on Migration and Development (EUNOMAD), Red Cross and SOLIDAR, will organize a high-level panel on “Migration, Development and Human Rights – Towards a changing paradigm in EU development policies” to generate interactive discussion on the relation between human development and migration.

The protection of children and young migrants will be put at the heart of the debate thanks to the participation of two representatives of TDH. Federica Giannotta from Terre des Hommes Italy will present a field reality perspective on the situation of migrant children based on FARO project implemented in Lampedusa by TDH Italy. Ignacio Packer, Incoming
General Secretary of Terre des Hommes International Federation will provide
recommendations on the need for a shift of paradigm in EU development policies aimed at protecting all children on the move.

Please download the programme of the panel here

December 10, 2011

Human Rights Day 2011

This year thousands of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights.

Social media helped activists organize peaceful protest movements in cities across the globe—in Tunis, in Cairo, in Madrid, in New York, and in cities and towns across the globe—at times in the face of violent repression.

It has been a year like no other for human rights. Human rights activism has never been more topical or more vital. And through the transforming power of social media, ordinary people have become human rights activists.

Human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a global community with the same ideals and values. As a global community we all share a day in common: Human Rights Day on 10 December, when we remember the creation 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(Source : United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

version pdf

Geneva, December 2011

Migration and Development: Civil society hands its recommendations to the States

This week, 160 States got together at the Global Forum of Migration and Development (GFMD) to discuss the issues and challenges of migration. Two days before the Forum, 186 delegates from civil society, including Terre des Hommes, met to suggest solutions to the questions of migration. Seven recommendations were finally presented to the States participating in the Forum.

“Learn to work together”
On 29th and 30th November, organisations from 61 countries met to represent civil society and ended up with seven recommendations. The question of protection for youngsters moving around could be placed on the agenda for the States, thanks to the participation of two representatives of Terre des Hommes.

Compared with previous years, the issue of child protection was found to be more topical. The family was defined as a ‘cornerstone’ of all policies on migration and attention was drawn to the need to act on the reasons for people’s mobility and not solely on the consequences. Civil society now appeals to the States to establish ‘systems of child protection’, involving collaboration between all the State services, to aid migrant persons.

The recommendations of the civil society ended with a demand for more common ground amongst the States at a national, regional and international level, in order to ensure a decent future for migrants: “Learn to work together towards urgent changes”.

Gain strength to convince even more
Similarly to the GFMD, Terre des Hommes systematically centres its interventions and active participation in debates in the normative framework (Convention on the Rights of the Child), in practical considerations and good practices resulting from projects in the field.

The participation to the GFMD is integrated in an advocacy strategy, of which one of the next steps is that of Terre des Hommes taking part in the European Development Days (15th to 16th December 2011). This work is a part of the new thematic campaign of the Terre des Hommes International Federation on child mobility to be launched in 2012.

November 2011

Global Forum on Migration and Development
Terre des Hommes appeals to States for a better protection of young migrants

After Belgium, the Philippines, Greece and Mexico, it is now the turn of Switzerland to welcome the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). Terre des Hommes (TdH) has been involved in the preparations for several months by contributing to the recommendations for the attention of the participating States. Two representatives from TdH will be taking part in the Civil Society Days, placing the protection of children and young migrants at the heart of the debates.

Migration: A succession of dangers for youngsters

Head of thematic approaches at TdH, Ignacio Packer does not conceal the facts: “While raising migration, the lack of access to the basic services for health or education for the youngest is particularly alarming. The network of protection must be suitable for the itineraries of displacement, starting with the places used by lone adolescents to cross frontiers.” The young migrants are exposed to exploitation. Sometimes they are put in prison. Some of them are repatriated, without evaluation either of the risks of returning or of the best interests of the children. Terre des hommes pleads for a better national system of protection, including skilled services for the minors affected by migration.

The GFMD in Geneva enables on the one hand meetings of governmental representatives (1st and 2nd December) and on the other, members of civil society (29th and 30th November). It brings together experts from all over the world (NGOs, associations, diaspora, migrant organisations, universities, etc.) on the issue of international migration and its links to development.

Terre des Hommes hands its recommendations to the States

Terre des Hommes will be taking part in two “Civil Society Days”. TdH has already contributed heavily to the drafting and circulation of the recommendations of organisations of the Swiss civil society to the States.

According to these recommendations, Swiss civil society wishes to promote migration and development in such a way as to be beneficial both to the migrants, their countries of origin and the countries of destination. In fact, “many people suffer from violations of their rights during their displacement or when they reach their destination. The States are required to protect the dignity and rights of migrants during the whole process of migration (i.e. when leaving, when crossing frontiers, in transit and on the high seas, and at their destination as well as whilst or after returning to their place of origin)”.

These recommendations stress three main subjects:

The need to recognise and ensure the autonomy (abilities) of the migrants in their countries of origin and at their destination;
The need of improved coherence between all parties at all levels, local as well as international
A necessary strengthening of the cooperation between governments and people from the civil society

The recommendations remind that “the respect of human dignity and protection of the migrants’ rights is an obligation which is incumbent on the States. As members of the Swiss civil society, we also recognise that the migrants can also be agents of active development in both their countries of origin and destination. The international community should recognise the role played by migrants in development and ensure them a legal and political framework as well as a social environment which allows them to best develop their potential. The integration of migrants in the society which receives them should be facilitated, particularly by ensuring their access to income-generating activities, to education, to health and other public services.”

For further information on the GFMD

For other information regarding the specific details of the civil society

September 2011

UN Interregional Workshop on International Migration

On 22nd and 23rd September, Terre des Hommes took part in an Interregional Workshop on International Migration, jointly organised by three United Nations Regional Commissions, the Economic Commission for Latin-America and the Caribbean (ACLAC), the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The objective of this workshop was to “Strengthen capacities to deal with international migration: examining development, institutional and policy aspects of migration between Europe, Africa and Latin-America”. In addition, the workshop aimed to promote the exchange of national and regional experiences and good practices.

Participants included government delegates from countries within the three regions involved, and representatives from civil society and international agencies. The workshop consisted of six work sessions, including the presentation of documents elaborated by experts and two roundtable discussions, which provided opportunities for a wider debate and exchange of ideas.

During the roundtable “Migration between Africa, Europe and Latin-America and the Caribbean: Challenges and Opportunities”, Mirela Shuteriqi (Terre des Hommes), gave a presentation on “Children on the move: opportunities and risks”. She highlighted the fact that “movement means improved standard of living and prospects for many of these children, but for many others, it means risks, abuse, exploitation and trafficking”. She elaborated on the risk factors for children, including the political and social environment in transit and in host societies. Concrete examples were given, based on the organisation’s work to protect Sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco, as well as the more recent intervention in Lampedusa. The session discussed a number of recommendations for state and non-state actors, including civil society.

For the PowerPoint presentation please click here

Geneva, July 14, 2011

ECOSOC Discussion on Education for All: Reach out to the most marginalised children says Terre des Hommes

The United Nations ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review took place in Geneva on July 4-8 and was devoted to the theme “Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in education”. Terre des Hommes was invited to address the Ministerial Review on July 6 and delivered an oral statement calling for an inclusive education system that reaches out to the most marginalised children. Terre des Hommes provides its contribution to the Millennium Development Goals by bringing education to children who do not have the possibility of enrolling in the regular school system, such as street children, children who work as domestic servants or children with disabilities.

Photos: Paula Eger Terre des Hommes at the Innovation Fair

Terre des Hommes also called on ECOSOC for a meaningful education system which really enhances the chances of children to live a better life. Terre des Hommes itself is keen to provide educational opportunities which have a concrete impact on children’s successful integration into their communities. An outstanding approach to education for marginalised groups is for example the concept of “double knowledge” which provides both modern and traditional education in rural areas. This approach creates continuity between generations.

Photo: Paula Eger

In parallel to ECOSOC, the UN organised the « Innovation Fair » to showcase innovative practices, approaches and projects in education from around the world. A wide range of institutions were invited to take part in the Fair raging from governments, international and non-governmental organisations, to foundations and private sector. Terre des Hommes presented to the Innovation Fair examples of innovative projects, which can be run at a moderate cost, and which bring educational opportunities to the very place where to reach children who have been left out of the regular school system.

Photo: Paula Eger

For more information on the ECOSOC debate please click here
http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/julyhls/index11.shtml

Brussels, July 2011

Members of European Parliament allying for children

Brussels 12.7.2011. The Member of European Parliament (MEP)’s Alliance for Children, created last March 2011, had its second meeting today in Brussels to boost children’s rights’ activities in the Parliament. Co-chaired by the Vice-President of the European Parliament Angelilli, with the participation of numerous MEPs and several NGOs including Terre des Hommes, the Alliance’s meeting heard the presentation of Commissioner Viviane Reding on the European Commission’s Communication “An EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child” launched last 15 February 2011.

Questioned by MEPs, the Commissioner Reding showed her commitments to “concrete actions” for children’s rights. Among issues discussed were the coordination between EU external and internal policies on child trafficking, the lack of reliable data, the absence of a strategy on child poverty, a focus on the most vulnerable children and the mainstreaming of gender in European Commission’s child rights agenda.

The MEP Alliance for Children is assisted with a supervisory role of UNICEF and CRAG - the Child Rights Action Group of which Terre des Hommes is a member. The initiative has enabled the mobilisation of MEPs’ commitments to children’s rights, the creation of a forum of exchange on different parliamentarians’ work on child rights within the European Parliament, as well as among the Parliament, the Commission and NGOs.

Brussels, 28 June 2011

Children in institutions issue picked up in European debate

European debate on children in institutions - Launch of reports of UNICEF and OHCHR on the issue at the European Parliament

Brussels - 28 June 2011. “End placing children under three years in
institutions” is one of the calls for action that UNICEF conveyed in its freshly
published report on formal care and adoption of Children in Eastern Europe and
Central Asia, “At home or in a home” launched today in European Parliament.

Together with the report of OHCHR “Forgotten Europeans, Forgotten Rights”
concerning human rights of persons placed in institutions, the two reports
revealed that more than a million children and adults are living in long-term
residential care across Europe and Central Asia, with vulnerabilities to
violations and abuses. “Some member states of the EU should stop using the
European Structural Funds to reinforce their child care systems in their current
Form”, stressed Jan Jarab, Regional Representative of OHCHR. Although
representatives of the European Parliament, European Commission’s DGs Justice,
Development and Cooperation, and Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion gave some responses on current EU actions on the issue, much more remains to be done by Europe in its neighbourhood, structural fund and social policies.

The event took place in the context that the Council of the European Union has
just adopted its Conclusion “Tackling child poverty and promoting child
well-being” last 17 June 2011.

Participating in the event, TDHIF also closely monitors the issue, continuing
the momentum of its two press conferences in Brussels and Geneva, end of January last year, on the phenomenon of foreign unaccompanied minors disappearing from institutions where they had been placed by authorities of EU countries. The related study, “Disappearing, departing, running away - A Surfeit of Children in Europe ?", was carried out by Terre des Hommes in 2008-2009. in Belgium, Spain, France and Switzerland.

Links :

- COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - Council Conclusion
“Tackling child poverty and promoting child well-being” 17 June 2011

- More information on UNICEF Report

- OHCHR Report

- TDH Study

Geneva, June 20, 2011

A historical week for the rights of children

The international community has adopted two instruments in a week which may significantly help to improve the rights of children. On 16 June 2011, the ILO celebrated the adoption of the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and the accompanying Recommendation and on 17 June 2011, the UN Human Rights Council adopted the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure.

The new Convention on domestic workers is one of the rare conventions to address the informal sector. “We are moving the standards system of the ILO into the informal economy for the first time, and this is a breakthrough of great significance” said Juan Somavia, the ILO Director General. The number of domestic workers is estimated between 53 and 100 million worldwide. Around 83 % of these workers are women and girls, and many are migrant workers. The new Convention focuses on domestic work in general but its Article 4 provides special measures for child domestic workers.

Terre des Hommes runs projects responding to the needs of child domestic workers. They provide psycho-social support, access to education and leisure activities as well as protection against exploitation and abuse. For example Terre des Hommes Switzerland runs a project in Haiti that gives an educational, psychological and emotional support to approximately 300 children “restavek”, while sensitising the families and employers to the rights of children and for an improvement of the children’s living conditions.

The Optional Protocol on a communications procedure gives children and their representatives the opportunity to address an individual complaint to the Committee on the Rights of the Child alleging violations of their rights, provided that their State has ratified the Protocol. This instrument has been long overdue as the Convention on the Rights of the Child is the only core international human rights treaty without such a procedure. The Optional Protocol will now be transmitted to the UN General Assembly for its final adoption in December 2011.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child, particularly represented by its Chair Jean Zermatten, has been instrumental in the negotiations leading to the completion of the Optional Protocol. An NGO Coalition of over 80 international and national NGO’s, supported by more than 600 organisations in all regions, has also been lobbying since 2006 for the establishment of this new mechanism. Terre des Hommes International Federation is an active part of this Coalition and will continue its effort for the adoption of the Protocol by the UN General Assembly and for its rapid entry into force.

Brussels, 15 June 2011

Fundamental Rights Agency Annual Report 2011 :
major child rights challenges facing the EU

In Europe about 19.4% of children are physically maltreated within the family and 32.6% of children are victims of bullying, revealing the 2011 Annual Report of the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), launched today.

According to the report, violence against children in domestic and institutional settings, child sexual abuse and exploitation, child trafficking, separated children in a migration or asylum context are major challenges facing the EU. Many child rights violations were reported in Poland, Spain, Ireland, Bulgaria, Denmark and other countries across Europe.

In early 2011, the European Commission released its Communication on an EU
Agenda for the rights of the child, setting out a programme of action for the coming years, in order to turn the rights of the child into reality through EU legislation. European Commission’s hotline for missing children, FRAs child protection data indicators, Council of Europe’s Guidelines on Child Friendly Justices, among others, were cited in the report as initiatives implemented at European level for child rights in Europe.

Terre des Hommes welcomes the FRA's 2011 annual report which provides important data on child protection in Europe. “This monitoring exercise shows that much more can be done in order to make child rights a reality in European everyday life”, said Salvatore Parata, Head of European Office, Terre des Hommes International Federation.

Links : FRA 2011 Annual Report

April 2011

North Africa and the Middle East: The European Union recognises the role of Youth in the reform movement

During the past few months, uprisings have been taking place in North Africa and the Middle East. The population, including youth, demands for greater freedom and political change to take place.The Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN), to which Terre des Hommes International Federation belongs, comprising over 40 European civil society organisations and networks engaged in promoting human rights, called the European Union to revise its policy in the region in a public statement. Among the recommendations, the HRDN strongly call on the European Union to recognise and support the crucial role played by youth in the on-going revision of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy for the South Mediterranean region.

On April 15, the Commissioner Füle, responsible for the EC Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, met with a delegation of NGOs, including Terre des Hommes. He took the opportunity to stress that the preoccupations and the points raised in the NGO statement were in line with the current revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
“The changes that are taking place are of historic proportion” stated Mr Füle. “Those changes at the door of the EU will de facto change the EU itself”. In order to support this process, the European Union will launch shortly an extraordinary Civil Society Organisations funding programme (called CSO facility) aimed at the supporting actions by civil society.

However, some issues remain to be tackled. “Youth has played a vital role so far” indicated Mr Füle “but the fact that they are still in the streets shows that they have not yet been taken enough into consideration. An important concern is the possible gap between the aspirations of youths and the street mobilisation on one hand, and the way new authorities will establish the future governance”. Furthermore, the number of young people trying to leave their country shows that the ongoing transition process is not yet providing adequate responses to their aspirations. On the issue of migration, “The Schengen system is in crisis” recognised the Commissioner. “The European Migration policy needs to be reviewed”.
The European High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, replied through a letter to the HRDN’s statement on April 18. She acknowledged that “youth and women, as well as many other components of the society, played a major role in the recent events in Egypt and Tunisia. They need to be fully involved in the transition process.”

“The meeting with the Commissioner Fule lasted for about one hour” says Salvatore Parata, Head of the European Office of Terre des Hommes International Federation. “The exchanges we have had so far have been open and positive. We are now waiting to see concrete actions and a real renew of the EU policy in the region to suit those words”.

March 2011

A workshop for children on the move in street situations

Side-event at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council,
10 March 2011, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Many children living and/or working on the street are on the move. The reasons for their movement are diverse and include voluntary and involuntary movement in search of work, education and to escape poverty, conflict, a humanitarian crisis or abuse at home. Their number is likely to grow dramatically as a consequence of global trends such as migration flows, urbanisation and climate change. The movement of children is not age and gender neutral, affecting both boys and girls of different ages and in different ways.

Movement of children can make them particularly vulnerable to, for example, the worst forms of child labour, sexual exploitation and abuse. Those that may find themselves living and/or working on the street following a move, including voluntary or involuntary migration, are at further risk of, or are experiencing, neglect and abuse. They may also face discrimination and, because of their status, additional barriers when trying to seek assistance and services. Appropriate child protection systems and responses are necessary to ensure that children on the move are protected and supported.

Children’s independent movement and its positive aspects, children’s role in the decision-making process around movement have been largely ignored. All children on the move should have their rights as children respected and promoted, including their right to be heard and to take part in decision-making, to be protected and to receive assistance as children.

The main objective of this side-event organized during the 16th session of the Human Rights Council was to encourage and inspire governments and other policy makers to address the child protection needs of all children, including those living and/or working on the street as a result of voluntary or involuntary migration or other forms of movement, and to develop comprehensive and appropriate child protection systems, policies and measures. The event also sought to highlight innovative and effective ways of working with children on the move, including those living and/or working on the street, through their active involvement and empowerment.

This side-event was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Finland in collaboration with Save the Children, Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF) and a number of international NGOs. It was chaired by H.E. Mr. Hannu Himanen, Permanent Representative of Finland. Over eighty participants attended the event, including representatives of States, UN bodies, NGOs and the private sector.

Brussels, 24 March 2011.

Public statement on the middle east and north Africa situation and the EU's response

The Human Rights & Democracy Network (HRDN), comprising over 40 European civil society organisations and networks, has monitored popular demand for greater freedom and political change in North Africa and the Middle East. This trend arose in Tunisia just two months ago and has spread around the region. Young people and women have found their political voice and have begun to drive national change, demanding justice and accountability.
Following the 8 March Joint Communication, 11 March Extraordinary European Council and 12-13 March Gymnich, the HRDN recommends that: ....

click here for more (pdf version)

New York City, 6 March 2011

Urgent Appeal to Change the Mindset

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - Rio 2012, must change the dominant mindset by:

Restoring public rights over corporate privileges

after thirty years of strengthening the power of investors and big corporations through deregulation, trade and financial liberalization, tax cuts and exemptions, and weakening the role of the state; and after the market- driven financial meltdown.

The principles and values of the Rio Declaration and the UN Millennium Declaration, adopted by heads of states and governments, are threatened and urgently need to be re-established. They include Human Rights, Freedom, Equality, Solidarity, Diversity, Respect for Nature, and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. Corporate interests do not uphold these principles and values.

Taking equity seriously

after thirty years of policies that further widened the gap between rich and poor and have exacerbated inequities and inequalities, not least regarding access to resources.

Unbridled market forces have favored the strong, thereby widening the economic divide. This requires the state to redress the imbal - ance, eliminate discrimination, and ensure sustainable livelihoods, decent work and social inclusion. Intergenerational justice requires restraint and responsibility of the present generation. It is urgent to establish more equitable per capita rights towards the global commons and to the emission of greenhouse gases, taking fully into account historical responsibility.

Rescuing nature

after more than sixty years of global warming, loss of biodiversity, desertification, depletion of marine life and of forests, a spiraling water crisis and many other ecological catastrophes.

The environmental crisis is hitting the poor much more than the affluent. Knowledge-intensive solutions including technologies are available to restore natural systems, and dramatically reduce pressures on climate and the environment while improving human well-being. A “green economy” is attainable but must be embedded in a holistic concept of sustainability. What we need is a
change of lifestyles.

The Rio 1992 Summit adopted legally-binding instruments and embraced Civil Society. The Johannesburg Summit 2002 celebrated partnerships relying on a self-regulated Private Sector. The Rio 2012 Summit must re-affirm the State as the indispensable actor setting the legal frame, enforcing standards of equity and human rights, and fostering long-term ecological thinking, based on democratic legitimacy.

This appeal was formulated by the following members of the Reflection Group on Global Development Perspectives:

Albert Recknagel, terre des hommes Germany; Alejandro Chanona, National Autonomous University of México; Barbara Adams, Global Policy Forum; Beryl d'Almeida, Abandoned Babies Committee Zimbabwe; Chee Yoke Ling, Third World Network; Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, International Resource Panel; Filomeno Sta. Ana III, Action for Economic Reform; George Chira, terre des hommes India; Gigi Francisco, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era; Henning Melber, Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation; Hubert Schillinger, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung; Jens Martens, Global Policy Forum Europe; Jorge Ishizawa, Proyecto Andino de Tecnologias Campesinas; Roberto Bissio, Social Watch; Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, Tebtebba Foundation; Yao Graham, Third World Network Africa

Endorsements can be added online at www.choike.org
Further information: www.reflectiongroup.org

pdf version

February 2011

Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child – for an individual complaint mechanism

The second session of the Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) took place from 6 to 10 December 2010 and from 10-16 February 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of this session was to advance in the drafting of a third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, that will allow children and their representatives to submit individual communications to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in case of non-respect of their rights by States having ratified this Protocol. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the only fundamental human rights treaty without such a communication procedure, this process was therefore long overdue.

Under the able chairmanship of Drahoslav Stefanek (Slovakia), more than fifty delegations from all regions held lively discussions on legal provisions which may really make a difference in the life of children, if they are adopted. The Working Group was also attended by UNICEF, by the Chair and the Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ms Yanghee Lee and Mr Jean Zermatten, by a child rights expert, Mr Peter Newell, and by several NGOs regrouped under the umbrella of the largest network of child rights NGOs, the “NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child”.

Delegations confronted their different views about the Protocol. The main issues at stake were the representation of children, the scope of the new procedure, the opportunity of making collective communications, confidentiality and protection of users, interim measures, friendly settlements, accessibility for children, deadline for States parties response, dissemination of information on the procedure, inquiry procedure and prohibition of reservations.

Following intense negotiations a final compromise proposal was presented by the Chair in a last ditch effort to bring the drafting process to a close. The final text was approved with oral amendments. The agreed text included the complete deletion of collective communications, the deletion of the clear disadvantage clause, and the deletion of the provision on reservations (meaning that States can make reservations when ratifying the Protocol). The one notable change was that the agreed text would not allow for States to "opt-out" of applying the communications procedure to existing Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The draft Optional Protocol, as orally amended, will be annexed to the report of the Working Group (which summaries the discussions held during the session) and both will be presented before the Human Rights Council in June for adoption.

Download the Draft Report of the Working Group including the current agreed text of the Optional Protocol

March 2011

A workshop for the protection of future generations

Together with the “World Future Council” Terre des Hommes-Germany is organising a side event on the occasion of the 2nd Preparatory Committee of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio 2012) that will take place on 7-8 March 2011 at the United Nations in New York. The workshop will inform about the concept of an ombudsperson for future generations and will outline the Hungarian experience in this regard.

EVENT:
Title: Ombudspersons for Future Generations as Sustainability Implementation Units
Date & Time Slot: 4 March 2011; 1:15 - 2:45 PM

For the full programme, please click here

Fri, 2011-02-04 14:00

A message from Terre des Hommes at the World Social Forum

News from Fides News Agency
AMERICA/BRAZIL - The “new frontiers” for child labour at the World Social Forum in Dakar

San Paolo (Agenzia Fides) – The 11th World Social Forum (WSF) returns to Africa, in Dakar (Senegal), to be held from 6 to 11 February 2011. The presence at the WSF 2011 of associations working to combat the worst forms of child labour is a key witness to rethinking strategies for creating “another possible world”.

According to a note sent to Fides by Salinari Raffaele, President of the International Federation “Terre des hommes”, and Cristiano Morsolin, operator for international networks for the rights of children and adolescents, that has been working in Latin America for ten years, the numbers of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are clear: more than 300 million children between 5 and 14 years are currently being exploited by the “worst forms” of child labour, which means early death or irreversible mutilation.

It is not a mystery that the economies of poor countries should exploit the resource of their children in order for the families' survival, and that the delocalisation of production processes puts them in competition with just the poorest countries, forcing them to lower the price of labour and thus the age of workers.

In Brazil, the so-called “underground” child labour, namely, the clandestine factories - especially in the south - which sew clothes in dank basements, or the exploitation of child prostitution, of begging, or of children as agents for organised crime, are all growing phenomena and of which we speak only in terms of repression. The country has become, in recent years, a real hub for all the European child prostitution, which is fed by human trafficking from Eastern Europe or the coast of Africa along with the illegal adult workers, arms and drugs. This business is calculated to reap profits in the order of three billion euro each year. So not only does the exploitation of child labour exist, but these extreme forms far outweigh those “classic” jobs as labourers or in construction.

The liberal economy has extended the scope of exploitation of labour to incorporate it within those “grey areas” of the criminal economy which encompass a broad spectrum of new forms of child exploitation: internet pornography, sexual exploitation in third countries through guided tours, illegal organ transplants and child soldiers. They are the “new frontiers” of child labour, in constant growth, as shown by the statistics and the news that we are sent more and more frequently about children treated and sold even before birth, in the womb.

There is no war in Africa, Asia or Latin America where irregular armies do not employ child soldiers. The statistics, by default, on the use of children in the sex industry, speak of two million children in Asia alone, and an equal number coming from Eastern Europe to America. Speaking today of child labour thus means to completely revise our perspective, our concept of Labour Law, it means expanding the tools of protection against these new forms of barbarism, now completely outside the awareness of both the general public and labour legislation. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/02/2011)

January 2011

Haiti: From Emergency Relief to Reconstruction

The earthquake that rocked Haiti on 12 January 2010 was one of the worst catastrophes in history. With a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale, it resulted in more victims than the 2004 tsunami. In addition, since October thousands of Haitians have been stricken by the epidemic of cholera. Yet even before these disasters, Haiti was already the poorest nation of the American continent. Haiti experiences repeated natural disasters which devastate living conditions for its inhabitants.

• Almost 3.5 million people were affected by the tremors including the entire population of Port-au-Prince.

• The Government of Haiti estimates that 222,570 people died and 300,572 were injured, but the true death toll will never be known.

• At the peak of displacement, close to 2.3 million people left their homes, including 302,000 children.

• 188,383 houses collapsed or were badly damaged and 105,000 were completely destroyed by the earthquake. Sixty percent of government and administrative buildings were destroyed, including the Presidential Palace, the Parliament and the Cathedral.

• 80 percent of schools in Port-au-Prince and 60 percent in its South and West departments were destroyed or damaged.

• The total value of damage and losses caused by the earthquake is estimated at US$ 7.8 billion, equivalent to more than 120 percent of Haiti’s 2009 Gross Domestic Product.

• More than 16,000 civil servants died in the quake and many left the country after 12 January. Although many have returned, the Government’s backbone and workforce is now reduced by 33 percent. *

Terre des Hommes has been operating on the ground for decades and has very substantively increased its aid to Haiti since the earthquake. The Terre des Hommes organisations in Denmark, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, are supporting the programmes of the Terre des Hommes organisations based in Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, to bring relief, health care and protection to the Haiti earthquake victims. They have carried out activities in different areas such as distribution of emergencies supply, with providing shelter and responding to basic needs; promoting good health, treating malnutrition, child care, psychosocial support and recovery education, protection of affected children, strengthening communities, relaunch of the agricol cycle, and rehabilitation of the different partner’s action capabilities.

One year after…

After the angry demonstrations following the official results of the first election round in Haiti, Terre des Hommes continues its determined action against cholera. The World Health Organisation estimates that cholera will have infected at least 400,000 people by April 2011, with a possible mortality rate of 1 in 20. Terre des Hommes is directly involved in the fight against the epidemic.

"Almost a year after the earthquake of 12th January, the situation is still incredibly chaotic and poverty is deep. The cholera and political tensions still aggravate everyday life," noted a Terre des Hommes specialist in Haiti. "In 2011, we want to move beyond this stage of emergency aid, to be able to contribute to a more targeted social reconstruction”. This implies extensive work to stabilise and durably strengthen the local communities, with special emphasis on children.

* Figures provided by the UNDP in its report « Haiti, 1 year later »

For more information please click here :

Haiti One year after the earthquake, Terre des Hommes Foundation – child relief

Haiti One year after the earthquake, Terre des Hommes Switzerland

News

Contents

The High-Level Panel report on the post-2015 agenda does not leave children behind

Terre des Hommes, fighting against child labour, fighting for corporate social responsibility.

Advocating for child protection in the post-2015 Development agenda

Protect my Future : a series of papers on “Child Protection in the post-MDG Agenda”

Terre des Hommes speaks at the Human Rights Council on universal health coverage

Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child

Universal Health Coverage for Children in the post UN development framework

Terre des Hommes at the 57th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

Geneva, Palais des Nations, 4th March 2013 – Conference on “Health for children in the context of migration”

TDHIF in the top 100 NGOs

Mali : Responding to the humanitarian situation in Mali

Mali : Responding to the humanitarian situation in Mali

Terre des hommes Lausanne: Burkina Faso - Innovative technology for health

Taking stock of the German two-year chairmanship in the Security Council Working Group „Children and Armed Conflict“

Terre des Hommes International Federation General Assembly in Luxembourg

The role of international cooperation in tackling sexual violence against children. International Conference, 29-30 November 2012.

Violence and Abuse against Young Girls and Teenagers: There is Room to Strengthen Harmonization within the European Union

Terre des Hommes report presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The 7th EU Forum on the Rights of the Child was a key moment for us to present our international campaign “Destination Unknown” to 190 participants from EU Member States, EU institutions and child rights actors in Europe.

Terre des Hommes invited by the European Commission to bring expertise on Children on the move at the 7th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, Brussels, 13-14 November 2012.

TDHIF advocates for health at EU and international level

The Rights of All Children in the context of international migration Terre des Hommes at the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

Submission for the Committee on the Rights of the Child Day of General Discussion on “The Rights of All Children in the Context of International Migration”

InDifesa Campaign Press Conference

Making child rights visible in the EU multiannual financial framework 2014-2020

Launch of the “Ratify OP3CRC International Coalition”

EU strategy on trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016 and the development of child protection systems

Terre des Hommes defends ecological rights of children at the Rio+20 landmark Conference

Detention as an alternative measure: Restorative justice and diversion as primary resort in juvenile justice

The Terre des Hommes International Federation is very pleased to announce the nomination of its new Secretary General, Ignacio Packer, a committed and talented advocate for the rights of children and an experienced manager in the field.

An Ombudsperson for Future Generations

Anniversary of the Red Hand Campaign 2012 – A call to action

Ten years have passed since the UN-treaty came into effect banning the use of children under the age of 18 in war.

European Development Days, Warsaw

Migrant children as ghosts for the EU Member States

TDHIF participation at 6th Edition of European Development Days, Warsaw 15-16 December 2011

Human Rights Day 2011

Migration and Development: Civil society hands its recommendations to the States

Global Forum on Migration and Development Terre des Hommes appeals to States for a better protection of young migrants

Migration: A succession of dangers for youngsters

Terre des Hommes hands its recommendations to the States

UN Interregional Workshop on International Migration

ECOSOC Discussion on Education for All: Reach out to the most marginalised children says Terre des Hommes

Members of European Parliament allying for children

Children in institutions issue picked up in European debate

European debate on children in institutions - Launch of reports of UNICEF and OHCHR on the issue at the European Parliament

A historical week for the rights of children

Fundamental Rights Agency Annual Report 2011 : major child rights challenges facing the EU

In Europe about 19.4% of children are physi­cally maltreated within the family and 32.6% of children are victims of bullying, revealing the 2011 Annual Report of the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), launched today.

North Africa and the Middle East: The European Union recognises the role of Youth in the reform movement

A workshop for children on the move in street situations

Side-event at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council, 10 March 2011, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Public statement on the middle east and north Africa situation and the EU's response

Urgent Appeal to Change the Mindset

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development - Rio 2012, must change the dominant mindset by:

Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child – for an individual complaint mechanism

A workshop for the protection of future generations

A message from Terre des Hommes at the World Social Forum

Haiti: From Emergency Relief to Reconstruction

The Rights of All Children in the context of international migration
Terre des Hommes at the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

Detention as an alternative measure:
Restorative justice and diversion as primary resort in juvenile
justice

TDHIF participation at 6th Edition of European Development Days,
Warsaw 15-16 December 2011

Global Forum on Migration and Development
Terre des Hommes appeals to States for a better protection of young migrants

Fundamental Rights Agency Annual Report 2011 :
major child rights challenges facing the EU

In Europe about 19.4% of children are physically maltreated within the family and 32.6% of children are victims of bullying, revealing the 2011 Annual Report of the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), launched today.

Side-event at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council,
10 March 2011, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Working Group on an Optional Protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child – for an individual complaint mechanism