With the implementation of the European Asylum and Migration Pact around the corner, the European Guardianship Network’s (EGN) mission to share experiences, promising practices and lessons learned on guardianship for unaccompanied children is more relevant than ever. On 28 and 29 May, the Spring Network Meeting of the EGN has taken place in Utrecht. As hosting organisation, Nidos was pleased to welcome 46 participants from 22 European countries. In addition to (non-)governmental organisations working on guardianship for unaccompanied children, there were also representatives present from international organisations such as European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA).
An important topic during the meeting was the European Asylum and Migration Pact and its specific provisions on guardianship. Together we explored in an interactive way what arriving in Europe after June 12th will mean for an unaccompanied child. We were very happy to have welcomed the Nidos Experts by Experience and Trusted Juniors, who presented their ways of working and shared their personal stories with the members. During a marketplace, different EGN members shared promising practices from their organisation, such as a mentorship programme in Greece, a guiding board game developed in Belgium, and a booklet for unaccompanied children on the asylum application system from France. Outside the formal programme, participants had the opportunity to informally network with each other during lunch, drinks, dinner and a beautiful city walk through Utrecht.
We appreciated the presence of Lilianne Ploumen, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Nidos, who opened the meeting with inspiring words and emphasized the importance to keep sharing experiences with each other. Additionally, a small delegation from the EGN visited the Mayor of Utrecht, Sharon Dijksma, to share with her the work and experience of the EGN and the challenges for unaccompanied children with the approaching migration pact.
As EGN, we thank all members for their valuable participation and look back at a very fruitful and inspiring network meeting!
