Hence, through this seminar, ESAN aims to :

• Raise awareness on, disseminate and share practices which being innovative or more traditional promote the implementation of UNCRC principles; Stimulate synergies between all stakeholders to the benefit of the welfare and personal fulfilment of Children ;
• Valorise experience sharing with a view to enhancing skills of social actors. It notably concerns European practices promoting the empowerment of Children and fostering Children's access to their rights;
• Network amongst the people working with Children (educators, Youth workers, volunteers) who would like to access modern support for free. This seminar will have to address 3 major issues :1 – the display of all existing resources/experiences ; 2 – the mapping out of the existing and future needs,3 – the development of resources, which are still needed
• Put forward proposals to the European Commission and the Council of Europe to enhance with their support on a daily basis to raise the consideration given to the fundamental rights of Children, who must be considered as legal people. Closing the seminar, ESAN will call on the European decision makers to deliver on important political items that safeguard the rights of Children as well as promote solidarity throughout Europe.

As a symbol, this seminar will take place in Strasbourg on 5th and 6th of October 2009. The Council of Europe will welcome our first day seminar at its premises. I should thank you very much indeed to book those two dates in your diaries.

To celebrate the 20th commemoration of the UNCRC, Children « Ambassadors » will bring some testimonies to the attendance. A delegation will express its view on rights of Children.

The seminar will last 1,5 days. It will assemble workers at children's places, social workers specialised in childhood, representatives from NGOs and public bodies concerned, elected people in charge of « childhood and youth» policies, as well as representatives of Foundations which bring their support to initiatives promoting Children's rights. Representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the European Parliament and form the Strasbourg Town Hall. The Press will also be invited.

Please find the final agenda here (pdf file, Acrobat Reader software needed).

Would you be interested in taking part, please fill in and return the registration form as soon as possible.

This seminar can host a hundred participants, please ask Christelle Claes from the ESAN Secretariat for further information.