In October and November, the Director of Hope For Children’s Humanitarian Division, Ms Andria Angastinioti, participated in two study visits, which were organized in the framework of our EU project GUARD UP: Empowering guardianship systems to improve the guidance of Unaccompanied Children. The project aims to improve the guardianship systems in six partner countries through knowledge exchange and capacity building of guardians of unaccompanied minors and other relevant stakeholders.
The two study visits took place between 08-10 October and 04-06 November in Athens and Utrecht respectively. Representatives of the partner organizations had the chance to share knowledge about the guardianship system in their countries, exchange good practices and visit premises where unaccompanied minors are hosted. During the study visits, participants also participated in workshops and thematic meetings with guardians, national authorities, policymakers, practitioners, and NGOs. These meetings provided a forum for discussing the challenges and successes of their respective guardianship systems. By learning about different approaches to guardianship and hearing from experts in the field, participants gained valuable insights and perspectives that can inform their own work. Bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and contexts, the study visits help build a stronger, more effective network of professionals working to improve guardianship systems and protect the rights of vulnerable children.
Ms Angastinioti found the study visits a useful experience for sharing strategies proved to be effective in ensuring the best interests of unaccompanied children:
“We discovered numerous similarities in the policies and services offered to UAC across these nations, but I would like to emphasize the innovative strategies that appear to significantly benefit the children's best interests. In Greece, the ‘mentoring project’ run by the Ministry of Migration stands out as a novel initiative, where former unaccompanied minors engage in activities to assist UAC with their integration, including guided tours, sports, and peer-to-peer support aimed at enhancing mental well-being. In the Netherlands, it was particularly impressive to see NIDOS employing behavioral scientists to provide support and guidance for professionals working on children’s cases.”
"Collaborating with fellow professionals and experts on the shared concerns and challenges we encounter in this field has provided us with additional motivation to persist with our research and development of methods and tools. This effort aims to enhance the services offered to all children and ultimately achieve our primary objective: to safeguard and advance the rights of every child,” continued Ms Angastinioti.
Following the study visits, the partner organizations will develop a comprehensive training package that meets the needs of guardians in Greece, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Croatia and Belgium providing practical and relevant learning opportunities delivered in a manner that is engaging and effective.
The GUARD UP project (AMIF-2023-TF2-AG-CALL 101140692) is co-funded by the Asylum, Migration, Integration Fund of the European Union.