Introduction

This activity is a follow-up to the Council of Europe Regional conference on “Migration of unaccompanied minors: acting in the best interests of the child”, organised in Malaga, on 27 and 28 October 2005.

Its objective is to develop policies and practices in respect of unaccompanied migrant minors whose status has been determined or is in the process of determination by the competent authorities.

The Ad hoc Advisory Group on unaccompanied migrant minors (life projects) (MG-S-MNA) has been set up to undertake to review policy and practice in member states and to prepare a proposal for a draft recommendation of the Committee of Ministers.

Terms of reference

The Ad hoc Advisory Group has the following tasks:

i. To consider existing policies and practices designed to promote life projects for unaccompanied migrant minors who are outside their family environment and whose development has been hampered by their migration.

ii. To make proposals in the form of a draft recommendation giving guidance to the competent authorities on how to:

• help unaccompanied migrant minors in developing life goals, taking account where possible of their ambitions;

• develop individual plans intended to help unaccompanied migrant minors achieve their life goals;

• promote the integration of unaccompanied migrant minors in the host society or their re-integration in their country of origin ;

• overcome the particular difficulties faced by unaccompanied migrant minors in areas such as family reunification, access to education and healthcare and to prepare them for the labour market.

iii. To make proposals on how to ensure the effective communication of its recommendations to government policy makers and professionals working with unaccompanied migrant minors.

The Ad hoc Advisory Group is composed of experts from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

The expert from Albania of the European Committee for Social Cohesion (CDCS) participates in the work of the Group.

The European Union and the following organisations are also invited to participate in the work of the Group:

• International Labour Office (ILO);

• International Organisation for Migration (IOM);

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);

• United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child;

• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF);

• United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The terms of reference of the Ad hoc Advisory Group expire on 31.12.2006

Progress

MG-S-MNA

The Ad hoc Advisory Group has held two meetings in 2006. At its 3rd meeting held in November 2006 the Ad hoc Advisory Group adopted the final text of a draft recommendation.

CDMG

The committee approved on 16 May 2007 and sent to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe the draft recommendation on life projects for unaccompanied migrant minors and its explanatory memorandum

CM

Adoption by the Committee of Ministers of the Recommendation  CM/Rec(2007)9 to member states on life projects for unaccompanied migrant minors, 12 July 2007

Implementation