Transcript Slide 1

Emilie White
Public Affairs & Project Manager
European Children’s Network ◦ Avenue des Arts, 1-2 ◦ First Floor ◦ B-1210 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 217 0186 ◦ Fax +32 (0)2 513 4903
[email protected] ◦ www.europeanchildrensnetwork.eu
Who are we?
• Network of national and transnational
NGOs sharing a common concern that
children’s rights, based on the UNCRC,
are taken into account in all EU legislation,
policies and programmes which have an
impact on children’s rights.
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The network
Member organisations
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Austrian Coalition of Child Rights NGOs,
represented by Die Kinderfreunde (Austria)
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BICE, Bureau International Catholique de l'Enfance
(EU Office)
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Coordination des ONG pour les Droits de l’Enfant –
CODE (Belgium)
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EFSCW, European Foundation on Street Children
Worldwide (Belgium)
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International Save the Children Alliance (EU Office)
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Kinderrechtencoalitie Vlaanderen vzw (Belgium)
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SOS Kinderdorf International (EU Office)
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Friends of Europe – Varna (Bulgaria)
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Center for the Study of Childhood & Adolescence
(Cyprus)
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Our Child Foundation (Czech Republic)
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Red Barnet (Save the Children Denmark)
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Pelastakaa Lapset (Save the Children Finland)
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COFRADE (French coalition of children’s NGOs)
(France)
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European Network of Master’s in Children Rights
(Germany)
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German National Coalition (Germany)
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ISPCC, Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children (Ireland)
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Save the Children Italia (Italy)
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Save the Children Lithuania (Lithuania)
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FICE (Luxembourg)
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CHI, Child Helpline International
DCI, Defence for Children International
(Netherlands) (on behalf of Dutch Children’s Rights
Coalition)
Polish Forum for Children’s Rights (Poland)
Nobody’s Children Foundation (Poland)
“Our Home” Association (Poland)
Salvati Copii ( Save the Children Romania)
Plataforma de Organizaciones de Infancia (Spain)
Rädda Barnen (Save the Children – Sweden) (on
behalf of Swedish Children’s Rights Coalition)
EACH, European Association for Children in
Hospital
NSPCC, National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children (United Kingdom)
Save the Children Fund (United Kingdom)
Estonian Union for Child Welfare (Estonia)
Associated Organisations
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Media Literacy Network (Greece)
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ARSIS, Association for the Social Support of Youth
(Greece)
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Save the Children (Iceland)
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First Children’s Embassy in the World (Macedonia)
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Save the Children (Norway)
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Child Participation
at the EU
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Child Participation
at the EU
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Child Participation is a right
• Children have the right to be heard at the EU level
– The EU makes laws, programmes and policies which have both
direct and indirect affects on the lives of children; children have a
right to be heard on these issues
• Children are European citizens too
– Of the 100 million children in Europe not one child has been
consulted by the EU on policies which have an effect on their lives
• The future EU Strategy on the rights of the child
must be developed for and by children
– The Strategy is based on the UNCRC and the Commission has
committed to involve children in decision-making on EU matters
that concern them
– Effective, and safe methods must be developed to ensure that
children are consulted in a meaningful way
– As key stakeholders children should be included in a safe and
meaningful way in all future European Fora
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Child Participation: the law
• Article 12 of the UNCRC:
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her
own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting
the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with
the age and maturity of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to
be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child,
either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a
manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
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Lisbon Treaty
“The Union …shall combat social exclusion
and discrimination, and shall promote
social justice and protection, equality
between women and men, solidarity
between generations and protection of the
rights of the child.”
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Fundamental Rights: Article 24
The Rights of the Child
1. Children shall have the right to such protection and care
as is necessary for their well-being. They may express
their views freely. Such views shall be taken into
consideration on matters which concern them in
accordance with their age and maturity.
2. In all actions relating to children, whether taken by public
authorities or private institutions, the child's best interests
must be a primary consideration.
3. Every child shall have the right to maintain on a regular
basis a personal relationship and direct contact with both
his or her parents, unless that is contrary to his or her
interests.
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How can children be heard at
the EU?
• EURONET child participation projects:
- Agenda 2000
- Consultations on discrimination, social exclusion and poverty
- Consultations on European Constitution – 2003
• Save the Children children’s participation
initiative in Europe focused on EU decision
making
- Europe wide consultation with children and young people on the
EC Communication (Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of
the Child) 2007
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What do children think
of Europe?
Unity
Include in the
Convention,
rights for
children
Equality for
boys and
girls
There is no other future
for Europe but to be
united. First step is
European Union and
the second is the
full World Union
with peace and
cooperation all over
it
Equal rights in
third world
countries
Unity – Common
policy –
Common
European
Conscience
At the end of the
day to have no
racism!
More child friendly
information and
access to that
information!
For all young
people to
be heard
Europe – where
child rights
are equally
respected
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To see equality in all
the countries in
the EU
Child
healt
h
care
To be politically and socially
independent we want a
strong and
independent Europe
All children have
common
political,
cultural, and
social
conscience
Consultation on the European
Constitution, 2002-2003
On the last night everyone gathered together
to relax and talk, we like to think it was
more of a celebration. The atmosphere was
smitten with cheer and achievement but with
a mix of sadness as everyone was leaving the
next day. We had gathered together as one
to try to make Europe a better place for
children and young people to live in and we,
personally, think that we are well on our way
to making it happen
Words from Kerri, Teri, Mhairi and Wendy –
Children from Scotland
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What do children think about an EU
Strategy on Children’s Rights?
They [adults] should
give hope to
children, not
discriminate against
them
Teach children to see other
things besides alcohol
and cigarettes. They
have to learn that
there are more fun
things in life than
drugs
All children should
have enough
food and
money
Children grow up in fear. I think that
children are afraid. So they don’t
tell anyone about the violence
used against them. There should
be places where a child can come
and tess about his/her problems.
If nature collapses the
places for children
to play will be less
We need to be told
about ‘grown up’
issues
Child trafficking is one of
the most severe
problems in the
country because it is
very frequent. The
authorities should be
more efficient in
trying to eliminate this
problem and the guilty
ones should be
punished
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Participating in the European Forum
Purpose of the Forum
• Strengthen communication among stakeholders
• Contribute to the design and monitoring of EU actions
and act as an arena for exchange of good practice
• Promote and strengthen networking and children’s
representation in the EU and globally, with a view to
formally involving them in all consultation and
actions related to their rights and needs
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Principles:
• Meaningful participation:
– Ethical, non-discriminatory, child friendly
• Safe participation:
– Child protection is critical and requires training (resources
already exist, adapt Violence against Children consultation in
Bangkok)
– Selection of child representatives based on agreed criteria
(representativeness, inclusiveness)
• Child experts are recognised as key partners throughout
• Representatives from countries outside Europe
• Well-prepared thorough organisation
– Child friendly documents, logistics, facilitation methods,
evaluation, follow-up, adequate human, financial resources,
timing
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What children have to say about it
“We need..:
• Enough funding to do this work properly and have
enough (qualified) staff
• Settings that allow equality, and for us to learn from each
other
• Enough time to get involved and share our ideas with
others
• Literature that we can read and understand
• Adults and staff that are welcoming
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www.europeanchildrensnetwork.eu
Emilie White
Tel: +32 (0)2 217 01 86
Fax: +32 (0)2 513 49 03
[email protected]
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• Informal grouping of NGOs committed to working together on the
follow up and implementation of the European Commission
Communication - Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child
and for the purpose of information sharing.
• Regular meetings; web-based document sharing and email
exchange system
• Members:
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Eurochild
European Children’s Network (EURONET)
European Foundation for Street Children
International Federation Terre des Hommes
Plan International
SOS Kinderdorf International
Save the Children Brussels
World Vision International
UNICEF (associate)
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