Four parallel round table discussions took place today, addressing urgent issues faced by refugee children, including separation, child labour, sexual and gender-based violence, birth registration and legal documentation.
Each session featured a panel of 2-4 presenters, who are experts in the relevant non-governmental organisation (NGO), international organisation, legal, or medical sectors.
Following a brief presentation including a case study from each panelist, audience members were invited to ask questions, suggest ideas, and engage in constructive debate aimed at improving refugee children’s basic human rights, protection, and futures.
"Every Child Counts: Birth Registration and Legal Documentation" explored the complex issues that affect babies born to families displaced within their home countries or who have been forced to cross borders to flee regional conflict, also highlighting challenges in legal status for unregistered refugee children.
Birth registration is a right under international law and critical for proving legal identity and age in order to receive services and education, but panelists acknowledged that enforcing this framework is not always plausible. Case studies from across the region provided audience members with examples of key success stories, as well as areas in which additional impact is urgently needed. Panelists included Adv. Samar Muharab, Co-Founder and Director of ARDD-Legal Aid, Lena Karlsson, Director of the Child Protection Initiative at Save the Children, Amit Sen, Regional Protection Officer (Statelessness) at UNHCR, and Mala Roche, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance Project Manager at the Norwegian Refugee Council.
"Addressing Exploitation and Separation: Putting the Best Interest of the Child First", addressed special vulnerabilities faced by displaced children, particularly those who are not enrolled in school, have been separated from family members, and may be forced to work to support themselves and others. Moderated by Elizabeth Tan, speakers included Dr. Ibrahim Draji, Professor of International Law and a protection advisor at UNHCR, Jumanah Zabaneh, Regional Representative at Save the Children-Lebanon, Nick Grisewood, a Development and Communications Consultant specialising in International Labour Standards and Amanda Melville, Senior Regional Child Protection Officer at UNHCR.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need for more accurate data collection on the scope of child labour and separation amongst the region’s child and youth refugee populations. Practical recommendations focused chiefly on taking a multi-sector approach, engaging national host governments, civil society, and international organisations in productive policy dialogue on issues including child trafficking, illegal labour, and separation.
Panelists speaking at the discussion: "A Generation Marked by Violence: Children Affected by Armed Conflict", discussed the ongoing turmoil that children and adolescents in conflict-torn areas in the MENA region go through. Children are facing physical, mental and gender conflicts and in many cases they have been recruited by armed groups and forces, they do not have access to basic amenities and are unable to attend school.
The delegates discussed the impact that conflicts have raised on refugee children and how important it is now to take stock of the existing legal framework in the conflict zones as well as the host nations.
The fourth panel discussion, "Protecting Innocence: Prevention and Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence", addressed the prevalent and rampant sexual abuses that children in conflict zones suffer.
The session highlighted the need on the part of countries to protect children and raise awareness about facilities that refugee families can take advantage of, especially in the fields of health and education.