IFSW is pleased to announce a series of webinars, in collaboration with the Identity Rights Working Group, aimed at addressing access to justice for children whose identity rights have been contravened. The webinars will gather experts, advocates, and individuals with lived experience to discuss the importance of securing identity rights for children and the challenges posed by violations of Articles 7 and 8 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
The first of four webinars, scheduled for 14 November 2024, will focus on birth registration and nationality, highlighting how the absence of these elements can hinder a child’s ability to access fundamental rights such as education and healthcare. Subsequent sessions will explore the complexities of re-establishing identity for undocumented or stateless children and securing the right to family relations.
Priska Fleischlin, IFSW Global United Nations Commissioner, commented: “IFSW’s commitment to birth registration has a long history, with former IFSW Representative to the United Nations, Ellen Mouravieff-Apostol, laying the foundation. Our current advocacy builds upon and expands this work, reaffirming our profession’s dedication to ensuring that no child is invisible within society. By addressing the intersection of identity rights and social justice, social workers play a critical role in advocating for children’s recognition and inclusion in the systems that are meant to protect them. These webinars are crucial for bringing together thought leaders and practitioners to drive transformative change and create sustainable, shared futures that leave no one behind.”
Pascal Rudin, IFSW Representative to the United Nations, who has been involved in organising the webinars, added: “For children, the issue of birth registration and legal identity is paramount. Without proper identity documentation, children are often excluded from essential services, making them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, and severe forms of social and legal marginalisation. This lack of recognition impacts a child’s entire lifecycle, inhibiting access to health, education, and justice, which are key areas where social workers advocate and intervene. Addressing these issues is integral to promoting social justice, equality, and the well-being of children—core values of our profession. Through this series, we aim to raise awareness and drive action to safeguard these fundamental rights.”
The webinar series builds on earlier expert dialogues, with participation from UN agencies, non-governmental organisations, and members of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. We invite all social workers working for and with children to join us for these critical dialogues. All seminars start 13h00 CET.
14 November 2024: No justice without identity. (Register)
03 December 2024: Speedily re-establishing missing elements of children’s identity. (Register)
18 February 2025: Speedily re-establishing missing elements of children’s identity in emergency situations. (Register)
04 March 2025: Right to family relations and access to justice and effective remedies. (Register)