From July 16 to 18, 2025
Chambre des Salariés
2-4 rue Pierre Hentges, L-1726 Luxembourg
Our Partners
Training, information and exchange week on the situation of children's rights in Luxembourg and worldwide
The SummerSeminar is organised by the Office of the Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher in partnership with and with the support of the Chambre des Salariés and in partnership with the national monitoring bodies of the CCDH (Commission consultative des droits de l'Homme), the Ombudsman and the CELPL (Contrôleur externe des lieux privatifs de liberté) and the CET (Centre pour l’Egalité de Traitement).
Objective: To create a space for meetings, (further) training and exchanges between actors, professionals and decision-makers concerned with issues relating to children's rights (including actors from the social and educational sectors as well as civil society and the legal professions) in order to exchange ideas, obtain information, receive training, identify each other, consult, mobilise, develop, question each other, interconnect, open up to current and future challenges... and give each other time to reflect together over the course of a week.
Target audience: The SummerSeminar is aimed at institutional actors and civil society, professionals and decision-makers, in particular those working in the social, educational and socio-judicial sectors, legal professionals (lawyers, magistrates, jurists, mediators), students and future professionals, as well as interested children and young people.
Speakers: Each half-day of the SummerSeminar is led by interdisciplinary speakers working in the field of children's rights (research, teaching, political action, educational and social initiatives, etc.) or by OKAJU staff members.
Languages used during the seminar: presentations and speeches will be given in the usual languages of the country. No interpretation will be provided.
Program
Child friendly justice: Developments in civil law – towards a law that conforms to children's rights
Contextualisation: Parentage law, medically assisted reproduction, surrogacy – national and international perspectives
Access to origins and adoption: The child rights perspective
Divorce/separation/placement: National and international perspectives
Online session: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83570920060?pwd=zxjGliemDqrI1bCy9ZZTnyepfnSj8Y.1
08:30 - 09:00
Welcoming of the participants
09:00 - 09:15
09:00 - 09:15
09:15 - 10:00
Children's rights within a couple
Françoise Hilger, Magistrate, Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Luxembourg
10:00 - 10:45
Surrogate motherhood abroad and the interests of the child
Dr Zohra Mchirgui, Docteure en droit, Research and Development Specialist, uni.lu, Membre du « Groupe de réflexion en droit privé luxembourgeois »
10:45 - 11:15
Pause café
Helen Portal
11:15 - 11:45
Access to Origins and Adoption: The Child Rights Perspective
Max Mousel, Legal advisor at the Consultative Commission on Human Rights of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (CCDH)
Helen Portal, Legal advisor at the Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher (OKAJU)
Alexandra Huberty
11:45 - 12:00
Conclusions
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
Alexandra Huberty, President of the District Court of Luxembourg
12:00 - 13:30
Lunch break
Participant reception from 13:00
13:30 - 14:15
European context: Divorce/Separation/Placement (European context)
Daja Wenke, Independent Researcher and Policy Analyst, Rights of the Child - Implementation of International Standards
14:15 - 14:45
The Luxembourg context: Progress, challenges, prospects and the link with young people's rights in Luxembourg
Valérie Dupong, Lawyer specialized in family and inheritance law: Birth (ART, surrogacy, recognition and contestation of paternity, adoption, etc.), Family life (marriage, civil partnership, separation, divorce, parental authority, visitation and custody rights, child support, settlements, etc.), and inheritance matters
Alexandra Huberty
Representative of the Ministry of Justice
14:45 - 15:15
Closing remarks
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
Alexandra Huberty, President of the District Court of Luxembourg
Representative of the Ministry of Justice
Lina Höhn
Eugenia Angioni
15:30 - 16:30
Field Visit: Protected Meeting Space AITIA (ERP)
Romain Lies, Chef opérationnel, AITIA
Lina Höhn, Responsable du Département « Prévention », AITIA
Eugenia Angioni, Responsable de l’Espace Rencontre Protégé, AITIA
Children who have come into conflict with the law, children who have been victims of a criminal offence, children who are entitled to protection assistance
Contextualisation: Promoting child-centered justice
Adolescence, Episode 1 – Arrest: Procedures and practices in Luxembourg (police intervention, handling of the minor, first interrogations, placement in custody, meeting with the lawyer, questioning…)
Adolescence, Episode 2 – Investigation in the school environment: Perspectives of peers, witnesses, and the victim(s)…
Adolescence, Episode 3 – Psychological Expertise: Misogyny, masculinism, online harassment, gender-based violence…
Adolescence, Episode 4 – Family reactions: Dealing with difficult situations and traumatic experiences, the weight of unconscious (transgenerational) legacies…
Adolescence, Continued: Criminal responsibility of the offender, diversion measures to be implemented, victim’s perspective, reparation measures for the victim’s family…
Closing: The perspective of young people
Online session: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83570920060?pwd=zxjGliemDqrI1bCy9ZZTnyepfnSj8Y.1
08:30 - 09:00
Welcoming of the participants
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome Speech
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
Alexandra Gardeur
09:15 - 09:45
Contextualisation: Promoting Child-Centered Justice
Gregory Fonseca, Étudiant en droit à l’Université de Leiden, Membre de l’association « Eran, eraus, elo »
Alexandra Gardeur, Plaidoyer, UNICEF Luxembourg
Jean Winter
Olivier Robert
Noémie Sadler
09:45 - 10:30
Adolescence, Episode 1: Arrest
Laurent Seck, Principal Deputy Public Prosecutor, Member of the National Council of Justice
Jean Winter, Chief Commissioner, Head of Section, Judicial Police Service, “Youth Protection and Sexual Offences” Unit
Olivier Robert, Senior Commissioner, Judicial Police Service, Department for Offences Against Persons, “Juvenile Delinquency and Child Abuse” Unit
Noémie Sadler, Lawyer, President of the Consultative Commission on Human Rights of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (CCDH)
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee break
Vanessa Reis
Tom Oswald
11:00 - 11:45
Adolescence, Episode 2: Investigations in the School Environment
Estelle Née and Vanessa Reis, Staff Members of the School Mediation Service
Tom Oswald, Criminologist, Director of the Social Office of the City of Dudelange, Member of the Luxembourg Criminology Association
11:45 - 12:00
Interim conclusions
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
12:00 - 13:30
Lunch break (with participant reception from 13:00)
Isabelle Schmoetten
Ella Chambers
Walid Megharbi
13:30 - 14:15
Adolescence, épisode 3 : Expertise psychologique
Karin Weyer, Executive Officer, respect.lu
Isabelle Schmoetten (Director) & Ella Chambers (Employee), Cid Fraen an Gender
Walid Megharbi (Head), Info Mann
Carole Jaas
Sylvia Peters
14:15 - 15:00
Adolescence, Episod 4 : Family reactions
Gilbert Pregno, Psychologue et Psychothérapeute
Carole Jaas, Chef de Service, Service Qualité, Direction générale de l'aide à l'enfance et à la famille, Ministère de l’Éducation nationale, de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse
Sylvia Peters, Families first, Croix-Rouge
15:00 - 15:30
Coffee break
Daniela Cabete
Alexandra Gardeur
15:30 - 16:15
Adolescence, continued
Ana Pinto, Chair, Association « La Voix des Survivant(e)s »
Daniela Cabete, Head, Service « Lotus », Croix-Rouge
Alexandra Gardeur, Advocacy, UNICEF
16:15 - 16:45
AEF Social Lab « On Tour » : Participation, protection, complaint – awareness and perspectives of beneficiaries of Child and Family Welfare Services
Marzenka Krejcirik, Collaboratrice, AEF Social LAB
16:45 - 17:00
Closing remarks
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
Inclusion of children and young people in day-to-day life: Experiences, challenges and perspectives
Contextualisation: Testimony from a young person with specific needs
The current situation in Luxembourg: The daily lives of people with disabilities (experiences, challenges)
Inclusion in formal and non-formal education structures – Support for children and young people with special needs: Perspectives from the National Observatory for Childhood, Youth and School Quality (OEJQS), the School Mediation Service (SMS), and the Ombudsman for Children and Youth (OKAJU)
Assistance and early rehabilitation for children with physical, mental/psychological, sensory or other disabilities
A look at neurodiversity: Understanding and supporting neurodiversity in children and young people
Closing/Summary: Inclusion of children and young people in day-to-day life – Experiences, challenges and perspectives (panel discussion)
Online session: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83570920060?pwd=zxjGliemDqrI1bCy9ZZTnyepfnSj8Y.1
08:30 - 09:00
Welcoming of the participants
09:00 - 09:20
Introduction: Placing children's rights at the heart of our profession
Marguerite Krier, Government Councillor 1st class, Head of Unit, Children's Rights Service, Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth
09:00 - 09:20
Testimony from a young person with a disability
Abby, a young woman living with a rare disease and requiring accommodations tailored to her needs
09:20 - 09:45
Contextualisation: The daily lives of people with disabilities in Luxembourg: Same rights for all - same accessibility for all?
Christine Zimmer, Head of Operations, Info Handicap
09:45 - 10:30
Inclusion in formal and non-formal education: Analysis of the provision for pupils with special needs and the structures in place
Martine Frising and Anne-Marie Muller, Observers, National Observatory for Childhood, Youth and School Quality
10.30 - 10:50
Coffee break
10:50 - 11:10
The challenges of school inclusion
Lis de Pina, School mediator, legal advisor, head of department, School Mediation Service
11:10 - 11:30
Inclusion in formal and non-formal education: Analysis and recommendations on the care of pupils with special needs
Helen Portal, Legal advisor, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
11:30 - 12:00
Assistance and early rehabilitation
Dr Emmanuelle Pizon, Specialist in paediatrics, member of the ‘Functional Evaluation and Rehabilitation’ Department at the CHL and of the ‘Hëllef fir de Puppelchen’ Early Rehabilitation Department.
12:00 - 12:05
Preliminary conclusions
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
12:05 - 13:30
Lunch break (welcoming of the participants starting 13:00)
Andrea Di Ronco
13:30 - 13:45
Regards sur la neurodiversité : Comprendre et soutenir la neurodiversité chez l’enfant
Christine Zimmer, Head of Operations, Info Handicap
Andrea Di Ronco, Information and Advisory Service, Info Handicap
Robby Coelho
Joanne Theisen
Luc Reisdorf
Jenny Even
13:45 - 14:30
Thematic workshops
Workshop 1: Let’s Talk Neurodiversity
Christine Zimmer, Head of Management, Info Handicap
Robby Coelho, Father of a neurodivergent child
Workshop 2 : Supporting Children and Youth with Invisible Disabilities
Joanne Theisen, autism consultant, co-initiator of the HASILUX platform
Merci de prendre quelques minutes pour répondre à ce sondage.
Il nous aidera à adapter l’atelier en fonction de vos expériences, questions et besoins liés à la neurodiversité, la neurodivergence et aux handicaps invisibles.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/du9By7F5yd
Workshop 3: Supporting Students with Special Needs in Formal and Non-Formal Education – Learning Through Inspiring Practices
Luc Reisdorf, Graduate Educator, Zesumme fir Inklusioun (ZEFI)
Jennifer Even, Pedagogue, Autisme Luxembourg asbl.
14:30 - 15:00
Workshop summary
15:00 - 15:30
Coffee break
15:30 - 16:45
Inclusion of Children and Youth in Everyday Life – Experiences, Challenges, and Perspectives
Participants in the Panel discussion:
-SAR le Prince Louis, member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Foundation
-Susanna Van Tonder, Chair, Board of the Centre for Equal Treatment (CET)
-Antonia Ganeto, Vice-President, Consultative Commission on Human Rights of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (CCDH)
-Andrea Di Ronco Staff Member, Info Handicap
-Joanne Theisen, Autistic person
16:45 - 17:00
Closing remarks
Charel Schmit, Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
17:00
Friendly drink
SummerSeminar 2025
The SummerSeminar will take place from 16 to 18 July 2024 in the training room of the Luxembourg Lifelong Learning Centre, Chambre des Salariés in Luxembourg-Bonnevoie, 2-4 rue Pierre Hentges, L-1726 Luxembourg. Participants will be welcomed from 8.30 a.m. Twenty-minute coffee breaks will be provided in the morning and afternoon. Drinks will be available.
Lunch on 16, 17 and 18 July 2025 at the Chambre des Salariés is at the expense of the participants. It is possible to eat in the Brasserie de la Chambre des Salariés, with a dish of the day and a vegetarian alternative (starter, main course and drink for €10).
Registration and certificate of participation
Register for one or more of the 6 themed half-days and workshops at this link . Participants will receive a certificate of attendance (in person or online) on demand. Participation in the OKAJU 2025 SummerSeminar can be validated as continuing education by the Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth (MENJE) and the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP).
Please note that the number of participants is limited to 60 for the six half-days at the Chambre des salariés on a "first come, first served" basis. An email with the link to the webinar will be sent to those wishing to take part in the training online.
Further information and contact
Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher
Mënscherechtshaus - 65, route d'Arlon, L-1140 Luxembourg
Tel: (+352) 28 37 36 35, Email: contact@okaju.lu
www.summerseminar.lu
Access :
Chambre des Salariés Luxembourg
2-4 rue Pierre Hentges
L-1726 Luxembourg
By bike :
3 Vel'oh stations are close to the LLLC :
№ 4 Rocade
№ 37 Gaulois
№ 2 Gare Centrale 2
By car :
3 pay car parks are close to the LLLC:
Parking Rocade
Parking Nobilis
Neipperg car park
