International Conference: 
Children's Rights at 
a Crossroads:
Evolving Humanitarian Crises
22.11.2024

More detailed results and recommendations from the conference will follow soon. Keep an eye on this page for updates on how we can make a difference for children in need. An initial overview of the conference can be found on the homepage of our website:

NL: read more
FR: read more

As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we are reminded that children's rights are increasingly at risk, particularly in the context of humanitarian crises. The world is witnessing unprecedented threats to the safety and well-being of children.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the experiences of children impacted by conflicts. Today, it is estimated that 400 million children – roughly 1 in 5 – are living in or fleeing from conflict zones. Many are being injured, killed, abducted, or sexually violated. 

They are losing family members and friends, seeing their schools and hospitals attacked, and some are being recruited and used by armed forces or armed groups. Many of them have been displaced multiple times, risking separation from their families, losing critical years of education, and fraying ties to their communities. 

Girls are particularly vulnerable to the risks of gender-based violence and abuse, and their specific needs must be addressed. 

Evolving notion of ‘humanitarian crises’

Children’s rights are also severely threatened beyond conflict zones. The notion of what constitutes a ‘humanitarian crisis’ is rapidly evolving. Rising poverty and inequality, public health emergencies, a learning crisis, and the global climate crisis are all threatening children, their rights, and their well-being. 

Climate change, in particular, is an existential threat to the health and well-being of this generation of children and future ones. Over 1 billion children currently live in countries that are at extremely high risk from the impacts of climate change, meaning half the world’s children could suffer irreparable harm. 

Meanwhile, the cumulative effect of multiple crises, including years of COVID-related disruptions, a looming global economic recession, and disruptive technologies are taking a toll on global mental health, including that of children and adolescents.
 

Key themes

• Children and armed conflict ━ Protection of education;
• The climate crisis is a children’s rights crisis;
• The specific needs of girls in crisis;
• Mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies.
   

Why attend?

This conference aims to bring together global experts, policymakers, and practitioners to address these pressing challenges:

• Contribute to shaping responses to emerging threats facing children today.
• Network with leading experts and professionals from various sectors, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
• Explore strategies to support children in crisis and ensure their rights and well-being are prioritized.
   

Event Registration

Due to limited capacity, registrations are now closed.

With the support of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child - Belgium.