Background
The development of the first inter-governmentally negotiated document on migration prepared under the auspices of the United Nations – the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration – is now in its final and critical stage. With only two negotiating sessions remaining in June and July 2018, it is imperative that all actors work closely together to ensure that the Global Compact is child-sensitive and grounded on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular in its principles of non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development as well as respect for the views of the child.
There are 50 million children in migration situation. 28 million have fled from violence and insecurity. Children on the move are often exposed to physical, psychological and sexual violence, including trafficking, and exploitation. In many ways these children are amongst most vulnerable and it increased risk. It is crucial that their rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are safeguarded at all times. In this regard, the Global Compact should fully integrate the principle of the best interests of the child in its provisions to ensure an effective, holistic and comprehensive text response to all children affected by migration.
The current Draft (Rev.1) for the Global Compact seeks to be inclusive of men, women, girls and boys and many of its sections hone in on the particular needs and rights of children. Furthermore, it infuses the idea of child-sensitivity into many of its key areas of focus.
Notwithstanding the current reflection of children’s rights in the text, there are areas that could substantially be enhanced through capturing key principles and elements in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Furthermore, there is a strong call for the draft to preserve current provisions in the text related to children.

Objectives
The side event is convened in the margins of the fifth round of intergovernmental negotiations on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
Main objectives of the side event are:
1. Provide an overview of alignment between key areas on children included in the Revised Draft and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
2. Provide an analysis of how to best enhance the Revised Draft from the lens of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights instrument, including and based on existing proposals both from Governments, UN system and Civil Society.
3. Present proposals from a number of stakeholders that further promote the best interest of the child as a primary consideration in any decision concerning children, including in the context of migration.

Format
Date: June 6th, 2018
Time: 1:15 – 2:45 PM
Venue: UNHQ – Conference Room. F
Light lunch to be served
Moderator
Arelys Bellorini, World Vision UN Representative on Child Rights and Sustainable Development.
Keynote statements
H.E. Mr. Christian Braun, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations (on behalf of the 3 co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs – Luxembourg, Jamaica and Bulgaria)
Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children.
Round Table
1. Genoveva Tisheva, Managing Director, Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation
- A Gender and age sensitive Global Compact on Migration
2. Daniela Reale, Co-Chair of Initiative on Child Rights in the Global Compacts
- Returns and best interests of the child
3. Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna, Co-Coordinator, Migration Working Group-Malaysia
- Ensuring improved pathways: Family Reunification in the Global Compact for Migration
4. Verena Knaus, Senior Policy Migration Advisor, UNICEF.
- Looking ahead: What would these commitments look like for children?
Closing remarks
H.E. Mr. Georgi Panayotov, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria

Hosting
Co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs – UN Permanent Missions of:
Bulgaria
Jamaica
Luxembourg
Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children.
World Vision
UNICEF
Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts
Participants
Member States
UN Agencies and entities
Civil Society
Other stakeholders