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Over 10,000 children take part in consultation on upcoming EU Strategy on Rights of the Child and the European Child Guarantee

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On 23 February, the results of the report 'Our Europe, Our Rights, Our Future' was officially launched at a virtual event with Democracy and Demography Vice President Dubravka Šuica, Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit and Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders. The views and suggestions of over 10,000 children between 11 and 17 years old will feed into the first-ever comprehensive Strategy on the rights of the child and the European Child Guarantee, to be presented by the Commission in coming weeks.

Speaking ahead of the event, Vice President Šuica said: “Children are the experts in the things that concern them. Participation, equality and inclusion are the guiding principles for both the EU Strategy on the rights of the child and the Child Guarantee. We must and will ensure that all children have an equal start in life and thrive in this world, free from fear and want.”

The upcoming Strategy strives to protect the rights of all children in the EU's internal and external actions, and to mainstream children's rights in EU policies and instruments, within the EU and beyond. The upcoming European Child Guarantee aims to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequality by guaranteeing access to quality services for children in need, such as early childhood education and care, education and play and leisure activities, healthcare, nutrition and housing. Today's results show that one in five children in the EU who responded to the survey are growing up unhappy and anxious for the future.

A third of the children surveyed have experienced discrimination or exclusion. That rate rose to one-half when consulting children with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities or those who identify as LGBTQ+. Child participation will be a key priority of the EU strategy on the rights of the child. The Commission has recently published a study on child participation in EU political and democratic life, which will feed into the EU Strategy and to which over 200 children and young people contributed. Read the report and press release.

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