International Missing Children's Day in Brussels on May 25

International Missing Children's Day in Brussels on May 25

Missing Children Europe will organize events on 25 May, on the occasion of the International Missing Children's Day. The focus will be on the many unaccompanied refugee children who have disappeared since their arrival in Europe.

Missing Children Europe is the European federation for missing and sexually exploited children, representing 30 organisations in 25 countries.

Each year, in Europe alone, about 250,000 children are reported missing.  A child is reported missing every 2 minutes in the EU, according to Missing Children Europe.

"Many of these children run away to escape violent situations, neglect and abuse. Others are abducted by a parent leading to cross-border conflicts in family matters,” says Missing Children Europe.

“In the context of migration, children placed in centers disappear just hours after having set their foot on European soil.”

The federation, which also celebrates it fifteen years anniversary on May 25, plans a number of events on that day. Citizens will be encouraged bringing a hopeful message to all children in need of protection and to all the families who have lost a child by wearing the symbol of the little flower “don’t forget me”. 

The badges will be distributed at an event in the European Parliament, where discussions will be held with European leaders.

At Egmont Palace, a discussion and dinner will be held in the presence of Queen Paola and practitioners, writers, artists and European decision-makers who are involved in the prevention of and fight against the disappearance of children.

The Brussels Times (Source: Belga)


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