Today marks four years since Russia initiated its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine - an ongoing conflict whose devastating impact continue to fall hardest on children. Over two million Ukrainian children have been displaced. While exact figures differ, estimates consider that tens of thousands have been unlawfully deported and over a million are said to be living under occupation. Thousands have been injured, several hundreds have been killed, and countless others endure shattered classrooms, disrupted education, and broken communities. While the relentless attacks against Ukraine intensify, the threats to children's safety, education, and well-being increase.
In response to this unfolding crisis, the Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) was established to address their plight. The CGU brings together Council of Europe member states, international and civil society organisations and independent experts to strengthen collective actions aimed at safeguarding the rights and well-being of children of Ukraine, wherever they are.
The CGU works as a multilateral co-operation platform and a rapid response mechanism fostering exchange of expertise, good practices and conducting peer reviews. It collaborates with experts to provide practical resources for professionals, including:
- Mapping study on children of Ukraine's access to education in Council of Europe member states
- Manual For Professionals: Mental health and psycho-social support for children In crisis and emergency situations
As the war tragically and forcefully drags on, disturbing systematic patterns of crimes against children at the hands of the Russian Federation, such as unlawful deportations, family separations and forced adoptions, conflict-related sexual violence, and indoctrination and militarisation, have become increasingly apparent. Thus, the CGU has broadened its focus to emphasise accountability for these heinous crimes affecting children. Partnering with academic institutions and world renowned experts in this field, the CGU is rigorously examining the impact of indoctrination, militarisation, and re-education measures on the mental health, development and identify of children of Ukraine. The results of this comprehensive, multidisciplinary research will be unveiled by the end of this year.
Secretary General Alain Berset has appointed Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir as his Special Envoy on the situation of children of Ukraine
