Project Steering Committee

The Steering Committee of the Joint European Union - Council of Europe Child-friendly Justice project plays a crucial role in guiding the project to achieve its objectives with success. It is responsible for providing strategic direction, monitoring progress, and ensuring smooth coordination of activities.

The Steering Committee comprises representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Commission, Directorate General for Justice and Consumers, the three focus countries – Belgium, Poland and Slovenia – actively piloting project activities, and three partner countries – Greece, Hungary and Portugal – offering valuable guidance and expertise. The Steering Committee therefore represents a diverse range of perspectives and ensures a comprehensive approach to achieving the Child-friendly Justice project’s objective to improve the protection of children in contact with the law across Europe.

The objectives of the first Steering Committee meeting are the following:

·         Introduce the project team and stakeholders;

·         Present the project’s objectives and activities;

·         Present the project workplan, identify key milestones for each stakeholder group and next steps;

·         Discuss the needs, reform plans and good practices of focus and partner countries;

·         Outline the Steering Committee’s composition and role, and organisation;

·         Address any questions and concerns.

Steering Committee Meeting Programme

13:30-14:00

Introduction

Facilitated by Anne-Laure Baulieu, Senior Project Officer, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe

·         Introduction of the project team and focal point of the European Commission, Directorate General for Justice and Consumers.

·         Introduction of each stakeholder.

14:00-14:30

Project Activities and Milestones

Facilitated by Anne-Laure Baulieu, Senior Project Officer, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe and Marta Tarragona Fenosa, Legal and Policy Officer, Rights of the Child Commission coordinator team, European Commission, Directorate General for Justice and Consumers

·         Baseline Assessment, Child-friendly-Justice Assessment Tool, Legal and Policy Frameworks Recommendations, Capacity Building, Awareness Raising, Handbook and Child-friendly Materials, Final Roundtable on Good Practices, and End-of-project Evaluation.

14:30-14:40

Coffee break

 14:40-15:20

Focus & Partner Countries

Facilitated by Anne-Laure Baulieu, Senior Project Officer, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe and Samvel Rubenyan, Project Support Assistant, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe

·         Discussion of focus countries’ needs (training, awareness, etc.), reform plans, and good practices in the field of child-friendly justice – 5 min per country.

·         Discussion of partner countries’ good practices, challenges and reform plans in the field of child-friendly justice – 5 min per country.

15:20-15:40

Steering Committee

Facilitated by Anne-Laure Baulieu, Senior Project Officer, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe and Samvel Rubenyan, Project Support Assistant, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe

·         Steering Committee’s composition and role.

·         Observers’ participation in Steering Committee.

·         Steering Committee’s meeting schedule and organisation.

15:40-15:55

Q&A

Facilitated by Anne-Laure Baulieu, Senior Project Officer, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe

·         Open forum for discussions and questions

15:55-16:00

Closing Remarks

Facilitated by Anne-Laure Baulieu, Senior Project Officer, Children’s Rights Division, Council of Europe

·         Briefly summarize key points and next steps, express gratitude for participation.