The “best interests of the child” are a globally recognised criterion for decisions concerning children. This does not prevent the term from being defined in different ways. Equally unclear are the framework and the impact of taking the best interests of the child into account. Particularly in cases with a cross-border dimension, complex processes are required and interdisciplinary cooperation is necessary, in order to identify and determine the best interests of the child. What is therefore necessary is a legal-political classification of the term: How do the policies, procedures and decision-making processes have to be shaped in order to meet the best interests of the child, and when do they actually conflict with the best interests of the child?
Language: ENGLISH (with German translation)
Speaker:
Nigel Cantwell
International Consultant on Child Protection Policies (Schweiz), Genf
