Romanian Center for Missing & Sexually Exploited Children

Brussels, Belgium, 25 May 2011 – Missing Children Europe (MCE), the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children that represents 24 NGOs from 18 European countries, is commemorating today International Missing Children's Day, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of MCE.

International Missing Children's Day is celebrated annually on 25 May since 2001, using the forget-me-not flower as a symbol. It is a moment of remembrance and solidarity with the 8 million families worldwide who face a case of missing children every year1.

Today's commemoration coincides with the 10th anniversary of Missing Children Europe,. which organises a reception at the European Parliament, in presence of H.M. Queen Paola of Belgium, Vice President of the European Commission Viviane Reding, Vice President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes, Hungarian Minister of Justice Tibor Navracsics and Vice President of the European Parliament Roberta Angelilli, in order to promote the implementation of the '116 000' hotline number for missing children across Europe. 25 May is also the deadline for implementation of the Universal Services Directive (USD), which imposes new obligations on Member States including the promotion and assured accessibility of the '116 000'.

During the reception, the winner of the competition to create a music track for the '116 000' hotline will be announced. MCE will also present its Annual report and a publication about the work of the organisation and its members in the last decade.

"Children go missing every day, for very different reasons, in every EU Member State," said Sir Francis Jacobs, President of MCE. "The '116 000' hotline has proved its efficiency to help families faced with a child disappearance. A total of 36.956 calls on missing children were received in 2010 among 7 hotlines. However, and despite the increasing cross-border cases, the hotline is not yet operational across all Europe. As Missing Children Europe celebrates its 10th anniversary and the 2011 International Missing Children's Day, we're calling for support to make the '116 000' operational in all EU Member States."

The Brussels-based events mirror a campaign also organised at a national level, in the 18 countries where MCE has local member organisations. To further support their work in running the hotlines, MCE recently published a '116 000 Practical Guide' for hotline operators.

On May 26 the European Commission, together with the Hungarian Presidency of the EU will also hold an expert conference entitled "European responses to missing children and the need for child-friendly justice".
A film about young runaways realised by Missing Children Europe, based on true stories, is to be unveiled.

Today, the '116 000' number is operational in only 15 EU Member States. Where the number is operational, efforts are needed to meet the criteria for the professional standard defined by Missing Children Europe. In many cases, funding issues are at the source of the problem. Therefore, MCE calls upon decision-makers to consolidate its role as coordinator of the '116 000' network by providing longer term funding perspectives at national and European level.

"The added value of such a unique European phone number depends on its implementation by all stakeholders involved, at different levels. Together, we can make Europe a safer place for our children," concluded Sir Francis Jacobs.