International migration has long affected children - both those left behind, those who traveled with their parents, were born to immigrant parents or migrated on their own whether the destination was a country in the industrial or developing world. However, these trends have accelerated in recent years, and studies, often of a qualitative nature have increased as well. Meanwhile, national censuses, population registers or surveys were until recently not fully exploited regarding the circumstances of children affected by migration.

Drawing on census and population registration data the panelists present:

1) findings from recent UNICEF sponsored research on the demographic, educational, economic, housing, and neighbourhood situations of children who live in immigrant families in OECD countries compared to native born children;

2) the 'Istituto degli Innocenti' experience on documentation and analysis on the situation of migrant children (independent migrants, children migrating with their parents, as well as second generation of migrants).

The panelists will also discuss challenges and opportunities in assessing the situation of migrant children through routinely collected data.

Friday 24th July

Chair: David Parker (UNICEF IRC, Deputy Director)

1st speaker: Donald J. Hernandez, University at Albany, State University of New York: a statistical portrait of children in immigrant families in rich countries - a multi country based study on the situation of children of different migrant backgrounds in selected OECD countries.

2nd speaker: Letizia Mencarini, University of Torino: a portrait of children in immigrant families in Italy - through qualitative and quantitative lenses.

3rd speaker: Roberta Ruggiero, Istituto degli Innocenti: Qualitative and quantitative evidence on the situation of migrant children in Italy.

Discussant: tbc