Applying our collective expertise to help international school communities address child protection challenges?

Last week, the International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP) gathered at the U.S. Embassy in London for two days of substantive discussion on key initiatives related to safeguarding and child protection through international education. Our sincere thanks go to U.S. Department of State colleagues Steven May, Special Agent and Deputy Regional Security Officer, and Tim Stuart, Regional Education Officer at the Office of Overseas Schools, for their leadership and support. Welcoming us to our two-day meeting, they described why child protection & student well-being are essential to our work across professions.

Taskforce Committee Leaders reported on the work underway:

1) Developing a new Safeguarding Governance Briefing for international school leaders and governing bodies. Led by Laura Light, Executive Director of the Association for the Advancement of International Education - AAIE ; Jeff Paulson, Executive Director of the Academy of International School Heads (AISH); Dan Furness, Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing at the Council of International Schools (CIS)

2) Highlighting what has changed in the newly published version of the international protocol for Managing Allegations of Child Abuse against Educators and other Adults.

3) Exploring areas of challenge for international schools as they work to document and retain records of safeguarding concerns and risks. Led by Leila Holmyard, CIS Safeguarding Consultant and Dr Jenny Lloyd at Durham University, UK

4) Parental Engagement has been the focus of a recent survey and the development of resources to educate parents as partners in safeguarding. Led by Colin Bell, Chief Executive Officer of the COBIS - Council of British International Schools

5) Safer recruitment is an ongoing area for development as we consider mobility and regulations internationally. New Taskforce resources include an updated Safer Recruitment Checklist. Led by Pauline O’Brien, Director Global Recruitment Strategy at International Schools Services (ISS); Jane Foster Sarre, Safeguarding Consultant

Experts informed our work as we gathered perspectives on areas of challenge related to access and use of the internet by children and young people, nationally and internationally.

·??????? International and national law enforcement agents reported on the challenges they face in addressing crimes across borders and virtually, providing advice and key contacts for reporting.

·??????? Will Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Childnet International, reported on Sextortion and Generative AI: Harm and Risks facing Young People.

·??????? Mark Orchison, Managing Director and Founder of 9ine, reported on Emerging AI, Cyber security & Data Protection Risks and what they are seeing in schools.

·??????? Debbie Downes, Director of Global Initiatives at the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) gave an overview of updated Information, Resources and Support available through the ICMEC Education Portal, where all the Taskforce reports and resources are posted.

We welcomed Emily Konstantas, Chair of the newly formed British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition (BISSC), to provide an update on their areas of focus and how they can collaborate with the Taskforce.

And, joining us in London were leaders from the British Council, Cambridge Assessment International Education and the International Baccalaureate (IB) to report on the work they are leading to incorporate social, emotional and wellbeing content into their curricula and programs and how they can contribute to the Taskforce’s work in the future.

?As we closed our discussions, Kam Chohan, Executive Director of ECIS, the Educational Collaborative for International Schools shared a summary of how we can raise awareness of our collective work as a Taskforce and the resources we have created for the safety and wellbeing of children around the world.

We are grateful to all for their time and participation as volunteers!

International Taskforce recommendations are fully aligned with the values statements contained within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.