Esta pesquisa teve como proposta discutir a respeito dos custos sociais nos empreendimentos hidrelétricos, com base em uma análise teórica a respeito do tratamento concedido às populações afetadas por Usinas Hidrelétricas (UHEs), quando se abordam questões como indenização e compensação financeira dos meios de sobrevivência. No primeiro momento, fez-se um breve levantamento bibliográfico sobre o conceito de custos sociais e a política energética da dam industry. Posteriormente, realizou-se um Estudo de Caso da UHE de Irapé (MG), com um breve relato sobre o processo ambiental para a obtenção da Licença Prévia (LP), Licença de Instalação (LI) e Licença de Operação (LO), assim como o desenvolvimento do Termo de Ajustamento de Conduta (TAC) depois denominado de Termo de Acordo (TA). Na prática, tentou-se perceber como foi o acordado entre a CEMIG e a população e o realizado pela população, perante dados obtidos por meio de pesquisa de campo. Por meio desses dados, buscou-se uma contraposição entre o discurso técnico e o saber local para a formação do custo social nos empreendimentos hidrelétricos. É importante ressaltar que na presente pesquisa foi realizada uma análise de documentos. Isso equivale a dizer que não se pretende generalizar o caso apresentado, apenas apontar especificidades, a fim de se questionar as totalidades. / The purpose of this research was to apresented what are the social costs in hydroelectric plants, from a theoretical analysis of how populations are affected by Power Plants (HPPs) are treated when, we talk about compensation and compensating financial means of survival, according to the Brazilian constitution are social rights of any Brazilian access to education, health, work, housing, leisure. The data acquired from the Energy Company of Minas Gerais (Cemig), allow questions about the relationship between entrepreneurial and involuntarily displaced population. First, it made a brief literature review on the concept of \"social costs\" and energy policy of \"dam industry. It was later made a case study of UHE Plant, MG, with a brief account of the environmental process for obtaining the Preliminary License (LP), Installation License (LI) and Operation License (LO) and the development of the Term of Conduct Adjustment (TAC) after called the Settlement Agreement (TA). We tried to realize in practice, as was planned by Cemig and lived by the population today before data obtained from field research. In addition, research also shows some testimonials of people who live in the region that were affected as well as the technicians of the Federation State of the Environment (FEAM) who participated in the development and monitoring of the Settlement Agreement and the representatives of the entrepreneur. Using these data, we sought a contrast between the technical discourse and local knowledge for the formation of social cost in hydroelectric projects. Importantly, this research is an analysis of documents. That is to say that it is not intended to generalize the presented case, only specific point in order to question the totalities.

The construction of the dam CastanhÃo work of greater importance for economic and social development of the state of CearÃ, to constituting receiving the waters of the transposition of the SÃo Francisco River, had as one of the most significant impacts the population displacement in the area needed to deployment of this lake. To construct this work, were inundated 60,000 hectares, which located in the city of Jaguaribara and large number of dispersed population. This research constitutes a case study where the impacts were assessed in the living conditions of the population directly affected, in order to subsidize and or improve the methodologies used by the government in the actions of involuntary resettlement undertaken by him in order to print economic improvements and social to those affected by the implementation of water projects. This study was conducted with application of interviews and participatory evaluation workshop with the resident population,government officials and civil society leaders. In the sample survey were used as an indicator of income level, the views of respondents on the situation in terms of income, before and after resettlement, the implanted productive projects and the continuation of activities previously undertaken. Housing conditions, quality of life and participation of affected populations in planning and execution actions that affect the community were evaluated. From the analysis of the data and studies conducted conclude: As a result, the interviews and of evaluation workshop conducted found that the population actively participated in decisions regarding the whole process of resettlement, as choosing the location of the city, types of housing, supervision of construction, type of cemetery, among others. As a main point in this regard was emphasized unanimously the excellent performance of the multistakeholder group established by the government, which fulfilled the function to inform and mediate conflicts involving all issues concerning the construction of complex CastanhÃo,especially resettlement. Other relevant issues highlighted were the improvement of housing conditions and infrastructure the new town and the improvement of education and health services. Negative aspects were not emphasized structuring of the city in terms of jobs especially for the youth, loss of leisure space for the population and especially the increased use of drugs and crime; continuity of the training process and community participation in city life; implementation of productive activities with absorption of labor, especially aimed at youth; completion of the implementation of the activities planned by the still unfinished project. Especially with respect to the public sector, the great recommendation is to guarantee the compatibility of schedules in the implementation of activities / actions in the projects in a timely manner, so as not to jeopardize the results expected. / A construÃÃo do aÃude CastanhÃo, obra da maior importÃncia para o desenvolvimento econÃmico e social do estado do CearÃ, se constituindo o receptor das Ãguas da transposiÃÃo do rio SÃo Francisco, teve como um dos impactos mais relevantes o deslocamento da populaÃÃo residente na Ãrea necessÃria à implantaÃÃo deste lago. Para construÃÃo desta obra, foram inundados 60 mil hectares, nos quais estava localizada a cidade de Jaguaribara, o distrito de PoÃo Comprido e grande nÃmero de populaÃÃo dispersa. Esta pesquisa à um estudo de caso, onde foram avaliados os impactos nas condiÃÃes de vida da populaÃÃo diretamente atingida, com o intuito de subsidiar e ou aperfeiÃoar as metodologias utilizadas pelo governo nas aÃÃes de reassentamento involuntÃrio por ele empreendidas, de modo a imprimir melhorias econÃmicas e sociais aos atingidos pela implantaÃÃo de obras hÃdricas. Este estudo se desenvolveu com aplicaÃÃo de entrevistas e oficina de avaliaÃÃo participativa junto à populaÃÃo residente, tÃcnicos do governo e lideranÃas da sociedade civil. Na pesquisa foi utilizado como indicador do nÃvel de renda, a opiniÃo dos entrevistados sobre a situaÃÃo em termos de renda, antes e depois do reassentamento, os projetos produtivos implantados e a continuidade das atividades antes desenvolvidas. Foram avaliadas as condiÃÃes habitacionais, a qualidade de vida e a participaÃÃo da populaÃÃo atingida, no planejamento e execuÃÃo das aÃÃes que afetam a comunidade. Como resultado das entrevistas e oficina realizadas, constatou-se que a populaÃÃo participou ativamente das decisÃes relativas a todo o processo do reassentamento, como escolha da localizaÃÃo da cidade, tipos de habitaÃÃo, fiscalizaÃÃo das construÃÃes, tipo de cemitÃrio, entre outros. Como ponto principal nesse aspecto foi ressaltado com unanimidade a excelente atuaÃÃo do Grupo Multiparticipativo instituÃdo pelo governo, que cumpriu a funÃÃo de informar e mediar conflitos envolvendo todas as questÃes relativas à construÃÃo do Complexo CastanhÃo, especialmente o reassentamento. Outras questÃes relevantes ressaltadas foram a melhoria das condiÃÃes habitacionais e da infraestrutura da cidade nova e da melhoria dos serviÃos de educaÃÃo e saÃde. Como aspectos negativos foram ressaltados a nÃo estruturaÃÃo da cidade em termos de oferta de emprego especialmente para a juventude, perda do espaÃo de lazer para a populaÃÃo e principalmente o aumento do uso de drogas e criminalidade. Como principais recomendaÃÃes, sugere-se a partir do material estudado, elaboraÃÃo e implantaÃÃo de polÃticas/aÃÃes de combate à droga e à criminalidade; continuidade do processo de capacitaÃÃo e participaÃÃo da comunidade na vida da cidade; implantaÃÃo de atividades produtivas com absorÃÃo da mÃo de obra, especialmente voltada para a juventude; conclusÃo da implantaÃÃo das atividades previstas pelo projeto ainda inconclusas. Especialmente com relaÃÃo ao setor pÃblico, a grande recomendaÃÃo à a garantia da compatibilizaÃÃo dos cronogramas na implementaÃÃo das atividades/aÃÃes nos projetos em tempo hÃbil, de forma a nÃo comprometer os resultados previstos.

Esta pesquisa teve como ponto de partida inquietações suscitadas no trabalho como psicóloga em um serviço de Atenção Básica do Sistema Único de Saúde, quanto ao lugar deste profissional na atenção a moradores de uma comunidade em processo de reassentamento urbano. A remoção dos habitantes do território Vila Dique e seu reassentamento no conjunto habitacional Porto Novo, em região fronteiriça da cidade, é concomitante às reformas urbanas para receber a Copa do Mundo Fifa 2014 em Porto Alegre, capital do Rio Grande do Sul. A pesquisa buscou visibilizar os modos de vida e experiências urbanas de jovens deste território, problematizando como essas experiências produzem seus territórios existenciais (subjetivação). Os principais orientadores metodológicos são as contribuições de Walter Benjamin, em especial no que concerne ao Método da Montagem, Narração, Flânerie. A pesquisa constituiu-se em um caleidoscópio de memórias, em que a escuta das narrativas dos jovens sobre suas experiências nos lugares de moradia somou-se às lembranças da pesquisadora no encontro com outros jovens em seu contexto de trabalho. Os participantes foram jovens entre 12 e 29 anos vinculados ao Projeto de Extensão Memórias da Vila Dique, parceria entre Faculdade de Educação/ Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul e Unidade de Saúde Santíssima Trindade/ Grupo Hospitalar Conceição. A pesquisadora acompanhou as ações do Projeto em 2013: rodas de conversa e video realizado com os jovens sobre suas redes de sociabilidade, práticas culturais e a experiência de reassentamento. O registro foi feito em diários e também foram utilizadas transcrições de materiais colhidos no âmbito do Projeto. As narrativas que aqui apresentamos traduzem a multiplicidade de experiências dos jovens com seus territórios de moradia. A heterogeneidade da vida na Vila Dique/Porto Novo se expressa nos diferentes pontos de vista sobre espaços e situações que poderiam parecer ter sido vividas de modo semelhantes. Mesmo com a pluralidade de experiências descritas, todos os jovens conferem importância ao senso de coletividade, às ações dos moradores pró-comunidade, denotando sensação de pertencimento e identificação com a “causa” do grupo. As histórias compartilhadas, as memórias dos moradores mais antigos, que vão passando de geração em geração através da oralidade – e hoje ganham materialidade através do Projeto Memórias– são vetores que legitimam estes sentimentos, contribuindo para reforçar esta (ilusão de) identidade coletiva. Um efeito disso é a sensação de continuidade entre a Vila Dique e o Porto Novo que aparece nas falas dos jovens, em que a Dique ainda é referência (tanto positiva como negativa). Também foi possível verificar, nesse percurso de pesquisa, que para os jovens o território está intrinsecamente relacionado ao entorno e à cidade. As narrativas que aqui traçamos dizem, ainda, de um desejo de cidadania. Com as questões levantadas na pesquisa, buscamos trazer olhares sobre os jovens moradores de regiões de ocupação que não passem necessariamente pela precariedade e fragilidade decorrente da condição social (discurso corrente acerca dessa população). Interessa-nos contribuir com os estudos sobre juventude e práticas voltadas para esse público nos campos da Psicologia Social e Saúde Coletiva. / The starting point of this research are the concerns raised during my practice as a psychologist in a primary care service of the Public Health System, with people who live in a community in the urban resettlement process. The removal of the inhabitants of the territory Vila Dique and their resettlement in Porto Novo, located on the city´s border region is concomitant with urban reforms to host FIFA World Cup 2014 in Porto Alegre, capital of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The research presents the urban lifestyles and experiences of young people from this territory, questioning how these experiences produce their existential territories (subjectivity) . The main methodological guides used are the contributions of Walter Benjamin, in particular the Literary Montage method, Narration, Flânerie . The research was made up of a kaleidoscope of memories, in which listening to the youngsters´ narratives about their experiences in living places was added to the researcher´s memories while meeting other young people. The participants were young people between 12 and 29 linked to the Project “Memórias da Vila Dique” , a partnership between Faculdade de Educação/ Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and Unidade de Saúde Santíssima Trindade/ Grupo Hospitalar Conceição. The researcher followed the Project´s actions in 2013 : Groups and video performed with the youngsters about their social networks , cultural practices and resettlement experience. The recording was made in a journal and transcriptions of materials collected during the project were also used. The narratives presented here reflect the multiplicity of experiences of young people with their territory of residence. The heterogeneity of life in Vila Dique / Porto Novo is shown in different points of view about spaces and situations that could seem to be experienced in a similar way. Even with the plurality of experiences described, all participants give importance to the sense of community and the pro- community actions by residents, denoting sense of belonging and identification with the group´s "cause ". Shared stories and memories of older residents, ranging from generation to generation through oral tradition - and now through Project “Memórias” are vectors that legitimize these feelings , helping to reinforce the (illusion of) collective identity. One effect of this is the sense of continuity between Vila Dique and Porto Novo that can be noticed in the youngsters´ speech, in which Dique is still the reference (both positive and negative). It was also observed that for the youngsters, territory is intrinsically related to the neighborhood and the city. The narratives we bring here also express a wish of citizenship. The issues raised in the research seek to bring perspectives on youth living in areas of occupation that do not necessarily go through the precariousness and fragility due to their social status (current discourse among this population). This research intends to contribute to studies on youth and social practices in the fields of Social Psychology and Public Health.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:44:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Emerso_Cristani_da_Cunha.pdf: 3767553 bytes, checksum: abed39527f86d651f2e0eacd24d98a72 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-09-05 / We live in a period of constant global transformations that require an apparatus of resources, natural and human, intense. These changes directly impact sometimes in groups, people, or just somehow causing disorders, from simple to more complex. The construction of a hydroelectric plant causes changes in geographic, economic and social aspects of the region where it occurs. Salto Caxias was no different. Several families were evacuated from their homes, taking with it, to seek other paths in new lands. These people organized themselves and formed a social movement, krabi, which became an important coping tool and got many achievements for those involved. These achievements were the land, infrastructure, political learning and mutual aid. Losses were ties of friendship and kinship, connection to the land where they lived, conventional agricultural practices, and broken relationships with local businesses. Therefore, there were gains and losses since the process is adversarial / Vivemos em um período de constantes transformações mundiais que requerem um aparato de recursos, naturais e humanos, intensos. Essas transformações as vezes impactam diretamente em grupos, povos, ou seja, acabam de alguma forma provocando transtornos, desde os mais simples aos mais complexos. A construção de uma usina hidrelétrica provoca mudanças no aspecto geográfico, econômico e social da região onde ocorre. Em Salto Caxias não foi diferente. Várias famílias foram retiradas de suas casas, tendo com isso, que buscar outros caminhos em novas terras. Essas pessoas organizaram-se e formaram um movimento social, a Crabi, que se tornou uma importante ferramenta de enfrentamento e conseguiu muitas conquistas para os envolvidos. Essas conquistas foram a terra, infraestrutura, o aprendizado político e a ajuda mútua. As perdas foram laços de amizades e parentesco, ligação com a terra onde moravam, práticas agrícolas convencionais e rompimento de relações com o comércio local. Portanto, houve conquistas e perdas, pois o processo é contraditório

O reassentamento involuntário é uma forma de intervenção que promove a remoção forçada de uma população de suas casas para uma nova casa em outra localidade, visando à implementação de um projeto de habitação. Sendo um processo que envolve mudanças de casa, espaço e comunidade, o presente trabalho busca uma maior compreensão sobre a dimensão psicológica do reassentamento involuntário a partir da perspectiva de famílias reassentadas sobre a sua experiência e os sentidos atribuídos ao processo. Assim, foram entrevistados quatro reassentados do Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento/Projetos Prioritários de Investimento, do município de Pinhais do estado do Paraná, em diferentes estágios do reassentamento. Considerando o espaço como simbólico e a casa como referência do indivíduo no mundo, verificou-se a grande mobilização de conteúdos emocionais a partir da experiência do reassentamento para estes sujeitos. A ausência de participação na execução do programa e as perdas inerentes às mudanças exigidas, em especial da casa, mobilizaram imagens de sofrimento e morte por parte dos reassentados-independente de uma concordância anterior dos entrevistados pelo reassentamento. Assim, antes que possam se ver como beneficiários de uma casa nova, os reassentados enfrentam perdas profundas e uma morte simbólica, necessitando de uma elaboração da experiência para conseguir reconstruir a sua vida, seu lar e, por fim, renascer / Involuntary resettlement is a form of intervention that promotes the forced removal of a population from their homes to a new home in another location in order to implement a housing project. Being a process that involves home changes, and community space, this paper seeks a greater understanding of the psychological dimension of the involuntary resettlement from the perspective of resettled families about their experience and the meanings attributed to the process. Consequently, we interviewed four resettled PAC program / PPI in the city of Pinhais / Paraná, at different stages of resettlement. Considering the space as a symbol and the house as the individual reference in the world, there was a great mobilization of emotional content from the resettlement experience for these persons. The lack of participation in the program implementation and losses of the inescapable changes, especially the house, mobilized suffering and death images by the resettled - regardless of a previous agreement of the interviewed about the resettlement. So, before they can see themselves beneficiaries of a new home, the resettled must deal with deep losses and a symbolic death, requiring an elaboration of experience to be able to reconstruct their life, their home and finally reborn

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / Across the globe, land reform has become a key strategy for improving people’s livelihoods aimed at reducing poverty and increasing food security for resilient livelihoods. In sub-Saharan Africa, redistributive land reform has been implemented since the post-colonial period as a developmental approach. Since independence, Zimbabwe implemented two forms of land reform programmes which are the Land Reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP) (1980-1997) and the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) (2000). The LRRP was based on the willing buyer willing seller approach with the state buying land for redistribution, while the FTLRP emerged from the chaotic and sporadic invasion of white owned commercial farms led by liberation war veterans and other politically affiliated people. In this thesis, I will focus on the LRRP which provided small farming land to many beneficiaries to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Land is an important livelihood source for the people of Zimbabwe, but on its own it cannot sustain the living standards of resettled farmers. Contemporary literature shows the catastrophic failure of land reform in Zimbabwe. Despite all the problems, land still remains the spring board of livelihoods in Zimbabwe. There is, however, less empirical research undertaken to assess how the LRRP has benefited and enhanced livelihoods of resettled farmers. This research will assess how the LRRP improved the livelihoods of Nyahukwe resettled farmers in Rusape, Zimbabwe. The study’s investigation will focus and add literature on how LRRP has been successful in empowering resettled farmers to enhance their livelihoods, to be more food secure as well as to improve their well-being. Using qualitative research methods, the research aimed to assess the livelihoods of farmers since they resettled. In particular, assessing the assets and capital available and how the farmers have been able to cope, strategies implemented to diversify their livelihoods and the outcomes achieved. The Sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA) was used as a theoretical framework to assess the new livelihoods patterns established after resettlement. Purposive non-random sampling was employed to interview 3 Nyahukwe government officials such as the extension managers, Environmental health officer and Veterinary officer. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 30 participants from Village F. A focus group 10 - 15 purposefully selected farmers was conducted. Data analysis was performed on the narrative and information from interviews, focus groups and questionnaires conducted during data collection. The findings show that land reform has enhanced the livelihoods of farmers since they were resettled as they reckon food selfsufficiency and better well-being. The research findings also illustrate that land remain the livelihood base of Nyahukwe farmers although they have adopted coping strategies to expand income generation. Coping strategies are farm and off farm activities that have diversified the farmers’ livelihoods through the interaction of assets. Land as a natural asset has been used with human, physical, financial and social capital to sustain the farmers. The findings revealed positive livelihood outcomes by assessing the assets before and after resettlement and outcomes achieved after adopting strategies as all farmers have increased income, self-sufficiency and improved well-being.

China’s consumption of electricity is increasing with its economic development. Although the main supply of electricity power is still coal, the government has recognized the importance of renewable energy and energy transition. China officially made a pledge of carbon emission reduction after the Copenhagen conference and enhanced its efforts to promote the environmentally sustainable alternatives to coal-fired power plants. Hydropower is the central of this strategy to achieve sustainable energy production. Due to the ecological and social influences, the 13 dams concentrated on the Nu River have caused a fierce debate over the past decade. Premier Wen even halted twice the project in 2004 and 2009. However, faced with increasing energy demand and Copenhagen commitment for carbon emission reduction, hydropower development remains a top priority and the 12th Five-Year plan will continue the construction of the Songta Dam on the Nu River. The other four dams including Maji, Yabiluo, Liuku and Saige should undergo orderly preparation as well. Thus this thesis aims to evaluate to what extent has China’s decision to build large dams on Nu River taken sustainable development into serious consideration under the seven priority strategies policy framework of World Commission on Dams. The study finds out that China’s decision to build dams considered the environmental and social issues, but when it comes to population and displacement issues, more efforts of implementation are needed and the process of benefits sharing and getting acceptance as well.

Magister Philosophiae (Land and Agrarian Studies) - MPhil(LAS) / In this research, I present critical facts about Land Tenure Systems and Poverty Reduction processes in Mafela Resettlement community. I focus mainly on the Post-Fast Track Land Reform (2004 ; 2011) period and the interactive processes in this new resettlement area. The research - premised on the rights approach - sought to explore land tenure rights systems and poverty reduction mechanisms seen by the Mafela community to be improving their livelihoods; it also sought to find out if there is evidence linking tenure rights to poverty reduction and how land tenure rights governance systems affect their livelihoods. Suffice to say in both the animal kingdom and human world, territorial space and integrity, its demarcation as well as how resources are used within the space, given the area - calls for a - defined system of rights by the residents themselves. Whilst it is true that there is no one story about Zimbabwens land reform (Scoones et al 2011) the contribution of this research towards insights emanating from the newly resettled farmers adds another invaluable contribution in the realm of rural development issues. The oft rigidified perceptions about the land reform in Zimbabwe as having dismally failed draw contrasting findings from this research. The findings, themselves drawn mainly through interviews, seem to suggest that there are indeed improved livelihoods for resettled farmers more than what is generally believed from a distance. The perception that secure tenure rights (among other myths) determines livelihoods improvement also revealed otherwise with Mafela community. The resettlers dynamic socio-economic milieu presents opportunities and challenges which only the resettled farmers can solve if given adequate support and empowerment in terms of decision making processes. The power basis wielded by the war veterans and the culture of top-down decision making processes as lamented by the resettled farmers suggest that the evolution of resettlements is still far from over. This research therefore hopes to challenge its readers and other stakeholders to engage with issues and recommendations raised here in order for a rethink about land tenure rights and poverty reduction initiatives associated with the new resettlement areas in Zimbabwe in general. / South Africa

Sexual violence is a prominent issue worldwide, especially during times of war and conflict. For refugee women, experiences with sexual violence are often incorporated in women’s reasons for forced migration. During the immigration process to Canada, refugee women are asked to share their narratives, at which point they may or may not disclose their histories of sexual violence. In June 2012, the Canadian government made substantial cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program. For refugee women who are survivors of sexual violence, this means that they are further limited in accessing services they might require in order to deal with the sexual violence they have experienced. Drawing from interviews we conducted with key informants (n=15) and refugee women (n=12) in both Toronto and Ottawa, this thesis explores both the lived experiences of refugee women and the changes, if any, that should be made to current service delivery. Our results show that there is a pronounced need for both small- and large-scale improvements at the systems and service delivery levels.

Legal rules regarding unaccompanied refugee children in the European Union (EU) are closely related to the refugee crisis and the community’s asylum policy. This study aims to investigate how the best interests of the unaccompanied refugee child is being ensured under EU law. Dworkin’s theory and various methods are used to answer the research question. Firstly, the focus is, with the use of the chosen theoretical framework and international legal method, on the interpretation of the principle of “the best interests of the child”. Secondly, the thesis studies how this principle is reflected in the EU law in relation to unaccompanied refugee children, by applying EU legal method. This study shows, on the one hand, that there are a few anomalies in the EU legislation in the area of asylum that arise with regard to the best interests of the unaccompanied refugee child. It is argued that the European Union’s restrictive asylum legislation leads to conflicts between the international law and the EU law. On the other hand, the thesis demonstrates that the EU law has continuously improved, and the international child rights principle was adopted in it. It will be shown in this study that despite the common asylum policy and the community acquis, the EU Member States’ domestic law enables different assessments of the best interests of the unaccompanied child. The solution of normative conflicts is also in the hands of the EU countries, since the status determination of refugees and the assessment of the child’s best interests are carried out by the EU Member States. This will be confirmed by analysing the most important applicable EU laws, particularly the Proposal for a Regulation establishing a Union Resettlement Framework. The Proposal is chosen for discussion, because this is an essential part of the Common European Asylum System and is consistent with two packages of legislative proposals to reform it. The conclusion of this thesis is that the best interests principle is guaranteed in the EU law, but it is not guaranteed in the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and further improvements are needed in the EU legal framework.