Children's Rights: Gilles Tonelli Takes Part in a Council of Europe Conference

From left to right:  Ms. Renata Szczêch, Vice-Minister of Employment and Family and Social Affairs, Poland;  Mr. Kai-Morten Terning, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Children , Equality and Social Inclusion, Norway;  Mr. Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation;  Ms. Pernilla Baralt, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Sweden and Ms. Regina Jensdottir, Head of the Children's Rights Division and coordinator of the Programme "Building a Europe for and with Children" ©DR

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, accompanied by H.E. Mr. Rémi Mortier, Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe, is taking part in a high-level Conference of the Council of Europe entitled "Reaching the Heights for the Rights of the Child," which is taking place in Sofia on 5 and 6 April 2016.

On the occasion of this Conference, the member countries of the Council of Europe officially launched a new Strategy on Children's Rights, prepared by government representatives in association with players from civil society and other stakeholders, including children.  This Strategy, which covers the period of 2016 to 2021, follows on from the "Monaco Strategy," implemented from 2012 to 2015.

During these two days, the 180 participants will discuss the five priority areas* identified in the Strategy, to determine the way in which players from the member States of the Council of Europe can collaborate to reach these objectives in the years to come.

In his speech, the Minister highlighted the measures put in place in Monaco to combat all types of violence against children, as well as multilateral cooperation programmes in this field that are supported by the Prince's Government.

*Equal opportunities for all children;  participation of all children;  a life free of violence for all children;  child-friendly justice for all children;  rights of the child in the digital environment.