Child Protection Policy

Last update: April 2024

CESIE has a zero-tolerance policy in relation to child abuse and inappropriate behaviour.

CESIE affirms its belief in the rights of all children, including the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence, and to develop to their full potential, be healthy and happy, as set out in the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of theChild (UNCRC) and in the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention, 2007).

For the purposes of the present policy, a child is any person under the age of eighteen years.

Children with whom CESIE staff, volunteers, interns, external collaborators and associates come in contact will be assured the rights expressed in the UNCRC. Through its work, CESIE aligns with the “EU Strategy for the rights of the child” and promotes action to support children’s participation in political and democratic life, their economic and social inclusion, their right to health and to education, providing equal opportunities to all children, to prevent violence against children and to protect them from violence, to promote a justice system that responds to the needs of children, to promote a safe digital experience for all children, and to support children globally.

CESIE takes the prevention of child abuse very seriously. CESIE understands that child abuse and inappropriate contact of children is a pervasive problem throughout the world that must be managed in proactive manner. Therefore, the writing of this manual and guidelines shows the commitment to taking proactive steps to protect children in CESIE programs and facilities.

CESIE is committed to making decisions and taking actions that are guided by the principle of the “best interest of the child”.

The Child Protection Policy document outlines policies regulating the behaviour and approaches taken by personnel, interns, volunteers and collaborators of CESIE within the undertaking of their professional roles.

The policy sets out the basic principles on which it is based, and specifically addresses the following aspects of the professional life of employees, interns, volunteers and collaborators working at CESIE, within and outside its premises: screening and hiring; conduct when working in contact with children; training, and working with other Partners.