In the context of Bilateral Relations

With regard to the development of bilateral relations, the CNPDPCJ can be consulted in the context of the preparation of high-level visits and state visits involving Portugal and other countries. Among the various issues of interest is usually the Portuguese system for the protection of children and young people, the activities of the 312 CPCJ and the initiatives of the National Commission itself.

The CNPDPCJ may also be consulted on proposals or updates of Bilateral Cooperation Protocols established between Portugal and other countries, where the instruments in question cover matters of childhood and youth likely to have an impact on children and young people.

In addition, the CNPDPCJ can be directly contacted by foreign entities with intervention in the protection of children that aim to be received in the context of technical visits aimed at deepening cooperation ties and that seek to know better the projects and initiatives of the National Commission, as well as to share information and good practices on innovative ways to overcome common challenges.

The National Commission further strengthens its bilateral relations through its involvement in bilateral initiatives based on addressing areas of common interest.

Bilateral relations between Portugal and Norway

At present, the CNPDPCJ is committed to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Portugal and Norway through the promotion of the rights of the child, an action embodied by the implementation of the Bilateral Initiative “Promoting the protection of the rights of the child in priority areas”.

The Initiative, fully funded by the Fund for Bilateral Relations of the EEA Grants, involves the CNPDPCJ, as promoter, and the Agency for the Welfare of Children and Families of the Municipality of Oslo, as partner.

A public presentation The initiative took place on 2 July 2019 at the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon, as part of the opening session of the International Seminar ‘Reflecting on children’s participation in public decision-making’.

This initiative resulted in the Thematic Glossary of Child Protection Systems and Promotion of their Rights, focusing on child participation and hearing in contexts of particular vulnerability, on English version and in English version , and Best Practices Framework for Strengthening the Participation of Children in the Promotion and Protection of their Rights, also in the English version and in English version.

Both products were pre-published under the closing event of this initiative, online, 16 December 2020, whose opening panel was attended by Rosario Farmhouse (former Chairman of the National Commission, promoter of the Initiative), Tove Bruvik Westberg (Ambassador of Norway in Portugal), Hege Hovland Malterud (Director of the Agency for the Welfare of Children and Families of the Municipality of Oslo, partner entity) and Portuguese and Norwegian children and young people, who spoke about the importance of children’s participation. The event was also attended by national and international speakers: Célia Chamiça and Fátima Duarte, for the Bilateral Initiative Technical Team, on behalf of the National Commission, and Iben Schier van den Berg, for the Bilateral Initiative Technical Team, on behalf of the Norwegian partner entity; Pedro Raposo de Figueiredo (Centre for Judicial Studies, Portugal); and Mieke Schuurman, representing Eurochild. The closing panel was led by Rosario Farmhouse and Susana Ramos, Coordinator of the National Focal Point of the EEA Grants (Portugal). Recording of the event is available here.