The return and reintegration of migrants unwilling or unable to remain in host or transit countries continues to draw attention of national and international policymakers around the world. Yet despite this attention, the experience of migrant children returning to their countries of origin is often overlooked even though they face unique challenges which deserve special consideration. Indeed, migrant children are considered vulnerable whether accompanied by parents or caregivers, unaccompanied or separated from their primary caregivers.

This cross-regional seminar on return and reintegration of children and their families aims to draw particular attention to the unique experiences and needs of children returnees and to offer a space for discussion among return and reintegration experts, practitioners and policymakers. It is structured around three main topics: operationalization of protection frameworks, practical tools, and good practices and lessons learnt in the field of child return and reintegration, allowing to tackle this subject from various angles.  

The cross-regional seminar on return and reintegration of children and their families is organized under the framework of the EU-IOM Knowledge Management Hub (KMH). It will bring together representatives of the governments of host, transit and origin countries, EU institutions and international organisations, CSOs, NGOs and the academia to exchange good practices, identify challenges and lessons learned as well as opportunities to strengthen efforts on the return and reintegration of children and their families.