General Secretariat

In June, ISS participated in the 9th European Forum on the rights of the Child in Brussels. ISS role and capacity as an international organisation, providing assistance for transnational cooperation to child protection authorities within the EU and with third countries, was clearly highlighted in one of the key Forum discussion papers presented by the Fundamental Rights Agency Mapping of child protection systems.

ISS was also a panel member and intervened in one of the sessions on "Effective procedures" in child protection in an international context. Participants appreciated ISS expertise related to international child protection cases in a cross-border setting relating to custody and child abuse, amongst others. Core activities related to cross-border family conflicts (parental responsibility, custody), child protection services, migration, and inter-country adoption (search for origins and birth families) were also presented. During this session, ISS pointed to gaps in the current Brussels IIa Regulation. These issues will also be discussed at the next ISS Cross Border Child Protection - International Conference taking place in Geneva between 21-23 October 2015.

ISS will continue playing an essential part in this international initiative strengthening child protection systems across the world.