Podcast: Download the keynote audio podcast from this event here.
About the Speech:
Almost 900 000 children (both unaccompanied and with their families) applied for asylum in the European Union between 2014 and 2016. This increase compared to earlier years poses challenges and has exacerbated existing protection gaps. The European Commission Coordinator for the Rights of the Child provided an overview of the situation and progress made to date, taking account of urgent actions recently agreed on by the Commission and recommendations to EU Member States. She also focused on some of the upcoming challenges.
About the Speaker:
Margaret Tuite was appointed the European Commission Coordinator for the Rights of the Child on 1 November 2011, as part of the unit responsible for fundamental rights policy in DG Justice and Consumers. From 2008-2011, she was Deputy Head of Unit for Criminal Justice. She has worked for the European Commission for 32 years, 16 of them in the justice and home affairs domains.
