Child mobility and rural vulnerability in Senegal

Climate change and the role of children in household risk management strategies in rural Senegal
Final project report
June 2010
TFESSD
World Bank Task Managers: Maurizia Tovo, AFTH2, and Junko Saito, WBI
Study conducted by the Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies (Fafo AIS), Oslo, in collaboration with l’École nationale d’économie appliquée (ENEA), Dakar

The fact that so many children leave their parents has been a rising preoccupation among child protection agencies in West Africa over the past decade. Detected cases of abuse and exploitation of these children have caused concern and raised suspicions of organized child trafficking. Yet, in many cases the relocation of children is an important strategy to protect them and enhance their opportunities, and also to help families manage the many risks to which they are exposed. READ COMPLETE REPORT.

“Children coming alone as migrants should not be automatically returned” says Commissioner Hammarberg launching the “Human Rights Comment”

[21/04/10 10:00] “Every day unaccompanied migrant children arrive in Europe, but their needs are not always duly met. Whatever possible difficulties of integration and accommodation they might face here, a humane society should take their problems more seriously and avoid sending them back regardless of the consequences.” With these words, Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, published today an article on the rights of unaccompanied migrant children, the first of a series to be published in the “Commissioner’s Human Rights Comment”. The Commissioner observes with concern the practice of quickly returning children to new reception centres established in their country of origin. “Authorities in Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom are reported to be looking into the possibility of sending children back to such institutions in Afghanistan, Iraq or a couple of countries in Africa” he said. (more)
Info: Council of Europe
Link to the "Commissioner’s Human Rights Comment"

Children, Families and the Migration Experience: Opportunities and Challenges

21/05/2010
Middlesex University, Hendon Campus
London, NW4 4BT, UK

In recent years new patterns of migration to Britain and other European states have emerged associated with, for example, EU enlargement. These have had diverse implications for family migration strategies. In contrast to historical patterns of migration which were generally perceived as involving long term or permanent settlement, this new migration often involves more transitory patterns of mobility.
Nevertheless, short term stay may be extended over time often leading to family reunion and family formation. The impact of this new migratory strategies, especially on children, is beginning to be explored by
researchers and to spark interest among policy makers and service providers as they respond to new needs, for example of new arrivals in schools. This conference will bring together research on a range of issues
relevant to this new phenomenon.

Specific themes will include:
* Current migration patterns, family strategies and family reunion
* Migrants from the new EU states
* The emotional impact of migration
* New arrivals and the transition to schooling
* Migration, education and parental expectations
* Language acquisition, language transition and bi-lingualism
Information
Full programme and booking form