International Missing Children's Day

For the second consecutive year, the European Commission is supporting the International Missing Children's Day on 25 May, organized by the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children. A press conference and a special event with Vice President Franco Frattini, Mr Daniel Cardon De Lichtbuer, President of Child Focus and the Belgian singer Salvatore Adamo, UNICEF ambassador for children's rights, took place on 24 May in the Commission premises.

Vice-President Franco Frattini pointed out that "the Commission has for a long time been concerned about the protection of children and young people inside and outside of Europe. In occasion of the International Missing Children's Day I will ask to the entire staff to show their solidarity to families that have been affected by such a sorrowful scourge, pinning a 'Forget-me-not' flower".

The main purpose of the International Missing Children’s Day is to encourage the population to think about all the children still missing in Europe and around the world and to spread a message of hope and solidarity at international level to parents who have no news about their children and do not know where they are or what has become of them.
The problem of missing children is complex and multifaceted. It is today not possible to obtain comprehensive statistics across the European Union regarding missing and sexually exploited children. Data gathering is seldom organised at a national level and the available data are largely difficult to access and little or no details can be obtained.

To give an indication on the extent of the problem in some European countries, the following statistics can be obtained from national sources:
In Italy, police records show that 1.850 minors went missing in 2005;
In Belgium, the number of dossiers reported by the police was 1.022 in 2005
In the UK, police recorded 846 cases of child abductions in 2002/03, while the total cases of missing children (runaways for any reason) is estimated at 70.000 annually.

To strengthen its actions in favour of children and young people, the Commission will issue a Communication “Towards an EU strategy on children’s rights” in July 2006. The communication will propose a wide action plan, with four major objectives:
To identify priorities for future EU action
To improve EU policies’ effectiveness vis-à-vis the Rights of the Child
To increase cooperation with stakeholders
To help children to enforce their rights

Many actions have already been taken by the European Union to protect the rights of the child. Only during the past 5 years, around thirty directives, framework decisions or green papers have been adopted under several EC policy areas and with children as principal target.
In addition, the Commission provides funding through a dozen community programmes for actions in favour of children and young people.

http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/information_dossiers/missing_children_day_2006/index_en.htm

A Powerful Message

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear,
he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity,
he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy,
he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise,
he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance,
he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition,
he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing,
he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness,
he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness,
he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity,
your child will live with peace of mind.

With what is your child living?

The Rights of Children

The Rights of Children of Separation and Divorce



1) THE RIGHT to be treated as an important human being, with unique feelings, ideas and desires and not as a source of argument between parents.

2) THE RIGHT to a sense of security and belonging derived from a loving, nurturing environment that is free of negative social influences such as drugs, alcohol, crime, bigotry and weapons in the home.

3) THE RIGHT to a continuing relationship with both parents and their extended families, based on a fair and just arrangement that will provide the opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with both parents, which includes the freedom to receive and express love for both.

4) THE RIGHT to have “listening parents” who work cooperatively in the best interest of the child as well as all members of the family.

5) THE RIGHT to express love and affection for each parent without having to stifle that love because of fear of disapproval by the other parent.

6) THE RIGHT to flourish in an atmosphere free of disrespect, exploitation and neglect.

7) THE RIGHT to know that their parents’ decision to separate or divorce is not their responsibility.

8) THE RIGHT to continuing care and guidance from both parents, where they can be educated in mind, nourished in spirit, developed in body and surrounded by unconditional love.

9) THE RIGHT to honest answers to questions about their changing family relationships.

10) THE RIGHT to know and appreciate what is good in each parent without one parent degrading the other.

11) THE RIGHT to a relaxed, secure relationship with both parents without being placed in a position to manipulate one parent against the other.

12) THE RIGHT to have parents who will not undermine the child’s time with the other parent by suggesting tempting alternatives or by threatening to withhold activities or parenting time as a punishment for the child’s wrongdoing.

13) THE RIGHT to be able to experience regular and consistent parental contact and the right to know the reason for not having regular contact.

14) THE RIGHT to be a child, to be insulated from parental conflicts and problems.

15) THE RIGHT to be taught, according to their developing levels, to understand values, to assume responsibility for their actions, and to cope with the consequences of their choices.

16) THE RIGHT to be able to participate in their own destiny and to be taught about their family’s culture and history.

17) THE RIGHT to be able to contact any parent, or any member of either parent’s extended family without unreasonable objection or interference from either parent.

18) THE RIGHT to be listened to by legal authorities and to have their age appropriate wishes and preferences made known to any court of law.

19) THE RIGHT to be supported and cared for, both financially and emotionally, by one’s own parents and extended family as the first option before any involvement of the government or other third party.

20) THE RIGHT to be assisted by competent third parties whose responsibility it is to protect or advocate for children and to be provided this assistance by the parties without prejudice or bias in favor of, or against, either of the parents.

Courtesy of the Family Conflict Resolution Services

www.Parental-Alienation-Awareness.com

Some Good Advice

Child abuse is not acceptable! Abuse is not limited to physical, there is also emotional.

Love your child/children unconditionally, because that is how they love you!

Be there for them!

Respect them as people!

Help them grow intellectually.

Praise them whenever you can.

Take dumb and stupid out of your vocabulary. No question is silly to them.

Tell them the truth!

Children are not to be used as tools to barter or mediate anyone's needs with!

Be a good role model. Your child/children will mirror your behaviour remember they look up to their parents.

Do not punish when you are angry!

Do what ever you can not to fight with your child's mother! Try to compromise. If you cannot do this, than accommodate. You will develop a more amicable relationship with your child/children's mother. The child/children do not need the extra emotional baggage created by the two supposed adults! Remember to practice your good role model skills! Your child/children do not need to see or hear the disagreements that may occur between their mother and you!

Do not put down new boyfriend or new spouse in front of child/children.

Let your child/children develop new friendships.

If you are feeling overwhelmed get help (use government social workers, psychologists or psycho-analysts to help you).

You need to MAKE time for yourself (keeps you sane)!

Accept change. You do not have to like it. Just accept it.

Children do not come with operation manuals when they are born.

All parents are scared at first!