Telefono Azzurro at the Annual Conference of Missing Children Europe in Poland: Addressing the Disappearances of Minors in Europe

Telefono Azzurro participated in the Annual Conference of Missing Children Europe, held at the Ministry of Interior in Poland, in collaboration with Fundacja ITAKA. The event took place at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the end of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a timely opportunity to raise EU-level awareness on the growing issues of missing children, particularly in cases of parental abductions and runaway adolescents.

This year’s themes: “Disappearances of Minors in Europe – Challenges, Prevention, and Systemic Solutions in the Context of Parental Abductions and Teenagers who Run Away”, highlighted the complexity of the phenomenon and the need for effective, coordinated, and systemic responses across Member States.

At the heart of the discussions was the 116 000 hotline, the European number for missing children, active in 32 countries. In 2024 alone, the hotline recorded 124,375 points of contact across 22 countries – nearly double the figure from 2023.
Among these:

• 80% of categorized prevention cases involved children running away

• 19% involved parental abductions

These numbers underscore the urgency of strengthening preventive measures, improving cross-border cooperation, and ensuring that children and families receive immediate and specialized support.

As an active partner of Missing Children Europe, Telefono Azzurro reaffirms the vital importance of the 116 000 hotline as a frontline tool to protect minors and support families during one of the most critical moments of their lives.

Protecting children from disappearance requires the shared commitment of governments, law enforcement, educators, psychologists, and civil society – working together to put the dignity and safety of every child at the center.