Events
EMN Finland National Conference and Webinar was held on 10 November 2023
Children in migration – Assessing the best interests of the child in migration processes
The conference was held on 10 November 2023 at Clarion Hotel Helsinki. The aim of the conference was to promote dialogue between different actors and to find new perspectives on how to develop the assessment of the best interests of the child in migration processes. A conference report and video recordings will be published in December.
11.10.2023
The EMN Finland National Conference was held on Friday 10th of November 2023 at Clarion Hotel Helsinki.
A conference report and video recordings will be published in December.
Download the conference concept note, programme and speaker biographies.
The aim of the event was to promote dialogue between different actors and to find new perspectives on how to develop the assessment of the best interests of the child in migration processes. The best interests of the child must be considered and justified in all decision-making concerning the child, including migration processes. The best interests of the child must be evaluated as a whole, taking into account the child’s individual needs, wishes and opinions. According to established practice of the European Court of Human Rights, the best interests of the child must be given priority and considerable weight, but cannot alone be decisive in the outcome of a case. Assessing the best interests of the child in migration processes is not straightforward. The assessment must take into account international norms that are binding to Finland as well as national legislation.
The opening words of the conference were given by Ms. Kirsi Pimiä, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior and Mr. Ilkka Haahtela, Director General of the Finnish Immigration Service.
The keynote speech of the conference was be given by Dr. Helen Stalford, the Head of the Law Department at the University of Liverpool. The Children in Migration report of the EMN will be presented at the conference. The perspectives of the legislator and the practitioners was also discussed in the joint presentation by the Ministry of the Interior and the Finnish Immigration Service. The conference also featured an interesting panel discussion on assessing the best interests of the child.
For additional info on the event: emn@migri.fi
Additional related materials:
Accompanied children’s right to be hear in international protection procedures
Transition of unaccompanied minors to adulthood
Protection of children in migration in Member States and Norway – State of Play 2019
Annual Report on Migration and Asylum – Finland 2022