Emilie White Public Affairs & Project Manager

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 europeanchildrenetwork@skynet.be ◦www.europeanchildrensnetwork.eu

2. 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. ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

3. Member organisations Austrian Coalition of Child Rights NGOs, represented by Die Kinderfreunde (Austria) BICE, Bureau International Catholique de l'Enfance (EU Office) Coordination des ONG pour les Droits de l’Enfant – CODE (Belgium) EFSCW, European Foundation on Street Children Worldwide (Belgium) International Save the Children Alliance (EU Office) Kinderrechtencoalitie Vlaanderen vzw (Belgium) SOS Kinderdorf International (EU Office) Friends of Europe – Varna (Bulgaria) Center for the Study of Childhood & Adolescence (Cyprus) Our Child Foundation (Czech Republic) Red Barnet (Save the Children Denmark) Pelastakaa Lapset (Save the Children Finland) COFRADE (French coalition of children’s NGOs) (France) European Network of Master’s in Children Rights (Germany) German National Coalition (Germany) ISPCC, Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (Ireland) Save the Children Italia (Italy) Save the Children Lithuania (Lithuania) FICE (Luxembourg) 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 Media Literacy Network (Greece) ARSIS, Association for the Social Support of Youth (Greece) Save the Children (Iceland) First Children’s Embassy in the World (Macedonia) Save the Children (Norway) The network ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

4. Child Participation at the EU ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

5. Child Participation at the EU ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

6. 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 ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

7. 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. ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

8. 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.” ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

9. 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. ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

10. 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 ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

11. What do children think of Europe? Include in the Convention, rights for children Unity To see equality in all the countries in the EU Equality for boys and girls Child health care Unity – Common policy – Common European Conscience At the end of the day to have no racism! 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 To be politically and socially independent we want a strong and independent Europe More child friendly information and access to that information! All children have common political, cultural, and social conscience For all young people to be heard Europe – where child rights are equally respected Equal rights in third world countries ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

12. 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 ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

13. What do children think about an EU Strategy on Children’s Rights? 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. 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 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 If nature collapses the places for children to play will be less We need to be told about ‘grown up’ issues All children should have enough food and money ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

14. 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 ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

15. 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 ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

16. 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 ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08

17. www.europeanchildrensnetwork.eu Emilie White Tel: +32 (0)2 217 01 86 Fax: +32 (0)2 513 49 03 europeanchildrenetwork@skynet.be ChildONEurope Child Participation seminar - Florence 31/01/08