Background: UNICEF reported in 2016, that up to 50 million children have migrated across borders or been forcibly displaced (1). Pediatricians have critical roles to play in response to the unprecedented global displacement of children. As such, in 2017 the International Society of Social Pediatrics (ISSOP) adopted the Budapest Declaration on the Rights and Health of Children on the Move as the architecture for a global pediatric response to the epidemic of children on the move (2). Objective: To establish: a) The Declaration as a blueprint for pediatricians to advance the global rights, health and well-being of children on the move; b) A replicable methodology for child rights-based approaches to global public health emergencies; and c) A commitment to action. Methods: With respect to methods used to develop the Declaration—the WHO definition of health serves as the foundation, and the principles of child rights and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provide the framework. Public health principles vertically integrate its clinical, systems and policy approaches. The input of international colleagues and organizations validates its global relevance. The application of research and evidenced-based principles ensures rigor. A strategy for global dissemination and action planning contributes to its implementation and sustainability. Results: Aware of the unprecedented global displacement of children and its perverse effects on their health and well-being; and knowing the violations of human rights resulting from displacement—the Declaration establishes the first comprehensive child rights-based blueprint for global pediatric leadership and action that integrates clinical care, systems development and public policy. It: a) entitles all children to the full complement of rights—regardless of their displacement status; b) enumerates requirements for a holistic response to their physical and mental health risks and needs; c) defines the elements of leadership for pediatricians and organizations; d) establishes the structure of a Child Health Action Plan for Children and Youth on the Move; e) outlines requirements for evidenced-base policies, protocols and evaluation, and f) grounds this work in a global context. Conclusion: The Budapest Declaration provides an integrated child rights and public health-based blueprint for the global leadership and response by pediatricians to the epidemic of children and youth on the move. The ISSOP Executive Committee approved the Action Plan in February 2018. The Implementation Workgroup was convened in March 2017, and at the time of submission consisted of 22 pediatricians representing 12 countries. This presentation will provide an overview of the Budapest Declaration, highlight the Advocacy Action Plan and summarize the work of the Workgroup to date. Reference: 1. Uprooted-The Growing Crisis for Refugee and Migrant Children, UNICEF, 2016, p. 3 2. Goldhagen JF, et. al: The Budapest declaration for children and youth on the move, Lancet/child-adolescent, 2018: 2; 164-165
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