The Policy Forum explored through presentations, plenary and group discussion the importance of protecting refugee children in the region, and child protection issues specific to the region. It identified ways in which governments, civil society, communities and international agencies can work together to strengthen child protection systems, as well as how these systems can and addressed the needs of refugee children.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS (4 parallel sessions)
Protecting Innocence: Prevention and Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Moderator: Dr. AblaAmawi, Country Director, UN Women, Egypt- Introductory remarks.
Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Ms. Maria Semaan, Child Protection Program Coordinator, KAFA Association, Lebanon
Dr Manal Tahtamouni, Director, Noor Al Hussein Foundation, Jordan
Ms. Karen Whiting, Senior Protection Officer (SGBV/Child Protection ), UNHCR Jordan
Discussion
A Generation Marked by Violence: Children Affected by Armed Conflict
Moderator: Ms. Katharina Lumpp, Head of Protection Service, MENA Bureau, UNHCR- Introductory Remarks
Opening Remarks (video message): Ms Leila Zerrougui, Under Secretary-General and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Mr. Claude Bruderlein, Strategic Advisor to the President, International Committee of the Red Cross.
Mr. Alec Wargo, Program Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict.
Mr. Laurent Chapuis, Regional Child Protection Advisor, Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa, UNICEF
Discussion
Every Child Counts: Birth Registration and Legal Documentation
Moderator: Ms. Lena Karlsson, Director, Child Protection Initiative, Save the Children- Introductory remarks
Ms. Samar Muhareb, Director, Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD)-Legal Aid, Jordan.
Ms. Mala Roche, Project Manager, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Norwegian Refugee Council, Lebanon.
Mr. Amit Sen, Regional Protection Officer, UNHCR
Discussion
Addressing Exploitation and Separation: Putting the Best Interest of the Child First.
Moderator: Ms. Amanda Melville, Senior Regional Child Protection Officer, UNHCR- Introductory remarks.
Dr. Ibrahim Draji, Professor of International Law, Expert in Protection and Trafficking in Persons.
Ms. JumanahZabaneh, Regional Officer, Save the Children, Lebanon.
Mr. Nick Grisewood, Child Labour expert.
Discussion
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS (3 parallel sessions)
Live & Learn Safe: Protecting Children through Education.
Moderator: Mr. TayyarSukruCansizoglu, Senior Regional Protection Coordinator, UNHCR- Introductory Remarks.
Mr. Justin Van Fleet, Chief of Staff, Office of the UN Special Envoy for Global Education.
Ms. InasRagab Rashid, Ministry of Education, Egypt.
Ms. Marina Lopez-Anselme, Chief Programme Development & Evaluation Officer, Refugee Education Trust (RET).
Ms. Audrey Nirrengarten, Education Officer, UNHCR.
Discussion
Tapping into Potential: Adolescents and Youth as Agents of Change.
Moderator: Ms. Emma Bonar, Youth Project Manager, Norwegian Refugee Council, Jordan- Introductory remarks
Ms. Seema Manohar, Emergency Adolescent Reproductive Health Specialist, Save the Children.
Mr. Elias Ayoub, Country Director, Right to Play, Lebanon.
Ms. Zeina Ayoub, Youth Department Coordinator, AMEL Organization, Lebanon.
Video Message: Intervention by a young refugee Ms. Kathryn Paik, Program Officer, Adolescent Girls, Women’s Refugee Commission.
Discussion
Families and Communities at the Forefront of Child Protection.
Moderator: Ms. Monika Sandvik-Nylund, Senior Protection Advisor, UNHCR- Introductory remarks.
Mr. FadelHumoud, Secretary-General, National Council for Family Affairs, Jordan.
Dr. Nancy Baron, Psychosocial Services and Training Institute in Cairo (PSTIC), Egypt.
Ms. Sandra Maignant, Technical Advisor For Child Protection, International Rescue Committee.
Discussion
