![Bold and united, let’s get things done for children [Promoted content] | INFBusiness.com](/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/f56e6b06dcaf5733035be2ea5dcc6c6f.png "Children aren’t just the future of Europe; they are key actors in our shared present. Investing in their future strengthens European democracy.")
Children aren’t just the future of Europe; they are key actors in our shared present. Investing in their future strengthens European democracy.
Willy Bergogné is the Save the Children Europe Director.
During the State of the Union address on 13 September 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke passionately about creating a “better future” for younger generations. At Save the Children, we agree and believe that every child deserves a future, but it is equally important to see the same commitment to a better present.
As we mark the International Day of Democracy today, we must recognise children and young people as active citizens and catalysts for change. Investing in children’s awareness of their rights, empowering them to voice their opinions and supporting their aspirations will lead to engaged citizens and strengthen European democracy.
The EU’s Children Participation Platform, co-created with children, civil society organisations like Save the Children and the EU institutions, is a testament to this commitment. The EU sets a world-class example by actively listening to children’s opinions and acting upon them. Seventeen-year-old Tala from Sweden, who attended the inaugural Children Participation Platform’s General Assembly in Brussels in June 2023, puts it this way: “If I had a superpower, I would be able to see the future and check if things could work. And if things don’t work, I’d change them right away.” “If I had a chance to make a change, I’d take a little bit of power and give it to the children,” Tala adds.
Alarmingly, one in four children across the Union is at risk of poverty or social exclusion with child poverty rates soaring even in the most prosperous countries like France (27.4%), Sweden (20%) and Germany (24%). Rising living costs and weakened social protection systems are pushing children, including those from middle-class families, into poverty, perpetuating a cycle of intergenerational disadvantage. It is deeply concerning that Ursula von der Leyen did not address the issue of poverty in her speech, especially considering that the latest Eurobarometer shows that EU citizens see the fight against poverty and social exclusion as an absolute and urgent concern. The EU must address the detrimental impact of poverty on millions of children. The European Child Guarantee, a groundbreaking framework to support children in vulnerable situations, is not merely essential; it is an urgent necessity and should maintain as a top priority in the next Commission’s mandate.
Furthermore, the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive has been a cornerstone in the EU’s child-focused response to the arrival of refugees from Ukraine. In Strasbourg on Wednesday, President von der Leyen shared the story of the late Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina and her son, who cried after crossing the border with the EU because they found safety and felt at home. Yet, despite the President’s promise last year that this approach would become a blueprint for managing migration in Europe, we continue to tragically witness children dying at Europe’s borders amidst widespread indifference, including among national governments and EU Institutions. Every child seeking protection in Europe should be able to feel at home and trust that they will be treated with dignity regardless of their origin. As EU leaders negotiate the Migration Pact, we urge them to put children’s rights at its centre, prioritising humanity unconditionally and without any compromise.
In her annual address, the Commission President underscored that “the future of Ukraine is in our Union”. While the EU has shown enormous support to Ukraine on its journey toward EU membership, every effort still must be made to keep children at the forefront of the accession process. As future EU citizens, children in Ukraine need help not only to recover from the trauma of war but also to break free from the cycle of poverty through comprehensive reforms and support. In that instance, the Child Guarantee could serve as a powerful tool for pre-enlargement policy reviews. The Ukraine Facility can also be pivotal in the country’s recovery and reconstruction. However, it is regrettable that in the proposed regulation, children were not mentioned even once. The country’s recovery efforts must prioritise investments in children and families.
While the EU champions children’s rights in many respects, it must also ensure that its values serve as a blueprint for the world. New conflicts, like those in Sudan, are becoming more complex and protracted, exposing more children to displacement and prolonged suffering. Mali, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burkina Faso rank among the ten worst countries for children in conflict, yet these crises often go unnoticed. As a global leader, the EU should leverage its influence to hold violators of children’s rights accountable. Adopting a comprehensive Team Europe approach and revising guidelines to address the evolving reality of children in conflict zones, including children affected by armed conflict, is crucial.
Ahead of the EU-AU summit, we urge the EU to translate President von der Leyen’s words into action and demonstrate the same unity of purpose towards Africa as it did towards Ukraine. The Sahel and the Horn of Africa remain threatened by instability, state fragility, climate change, and recurring humanitarian crises. Without addressing the root causes of insecurity and investing in multidimensional solutions, an entire generation of children faces the destruction of their survival, education, and protection.
As we approach the European Elections, protecting and realising children’s rights must remain atop the European Union’s agenda. Only by putting children first can we chart a path toward lasting change. If Europe strives to answer “the call of history”, it must witness a new generation of child rights advocates during the next mandate of the EU institutions, building upon the valuable lessons that Ursula von der Leyen and her team have learned this term.
In the words of President von der Leyen, “When Europe is bold, it gets things done. And our work is far from over.” So let us be bold and united and get things done for children!
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Willy Bergogné joined Save the Children Europe as the new Director in September 2023. He has been working in the development and humanitarian sector for the past 20 years and has extensive expertise in nonprofit organisations, sustainable development, humanitarian work, rural development and team building. Willy is a valued leader in the field, driven by the dedication to create a positive impact and improve the lives of children, families and communities.
Source: euractiv.com
