Public lecture by Ms. Margaret Tuite, European Commission Coordinator for the Rights of the Child
On October 20th, the advanced International Children’s Rights master program and the Leiden Institute of Immigration Law co-organized a public lecture and Q&A session with Ms. Margaret Tuite, the European Commission Coordinator for the Rights of the Child.
The event is part of the ‘’Monthly Meeting’’ tradition of the International Children’s Rights master program: an extra-curricular forum to address topical issues impacting the lives of children, in an interactive atmosphere, and with experts who are familiar with the realities ‘’on the ground’’.
The discussion addressed the work of the European Commission in relation to child refugee and asylum seekers in Europe. Ms. Tuite provided a unique first-hand account of the situation of children ‘’on the move’’ in Europe. She presented the current data and figures behind the European refugee crisis, and touched upon the activities of the European Commission and the political aspects surrounding this issue.
The event was attended by many students and staff members from Leiden Law School, and was followed by an open Q&A session. The event was concluded with an interesting discussion on the role of academia in the refugee and asylum context, and how students and researchers can contribute to the protection of children in this situation.