Leila Kurki: rechten van het kind moeten centraal staan in het Europees beleid (en)
Children’s rights must be placed at the centre of EU policy
On the occasion of Universal Children's Day on 20 November, Leila Kurki, president of the EESC Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, pointed out that children's rights must be placed at the centre of EU policy.
"There is a need for a comprehensive EU strategy to effectively promote and safeguard the rights of the child in the EU's policies, both internally and externally, and to support Member States' efforts in this important field," she said.
The EESC has a long-standing tradition of campaigning for the protection of children's rights. Recently the Committee adopted an opinion on "Protection of children at risk from travelling sex offenders" where it put forward a number of measures that aimed to strengthen a child-focused approach by the EU in this area. Suggestions included the establishment of international partnerships for police cooperation and barring of sex offenders from working overseas, as well as the provision of mechanisms for public awareness raising and counselling for victims.
The EESC acknowledges that there are still many challenges as regards securing children's rights throughout Europe.
"The EESC will continue its efforts to ensure that children can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential and grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding," said Leila Kurki. "Good, affordable childhood education and care facilities should be accessible to all children. The EESC is calling for child-friendly cities and focus on children's needs and place in society from an inter-generational point of view. Children and young people should have access to high-quality education and healthcare and it goes without saying that they should be protected from domestic violence, as victims and as witnesses."
For more information, please contact
Or send an e-mail to soc@eesc.europa.eu