Eurochild: International Children’s Day – Building the European Parliament with children, for children
15 children from over 9 EU countries to travel to Brussels to share their experiences of being child mayors, child councillors and other positions allowing them to engage in decisions that affect the lives of children.
In advance of the International Children’s Day on 20 November, the European Parliament will discuss how children’s voices can be heard on issues that affect their lives, a right guaranteed to all children by the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. The symposium ‘With Children, For Children: From Ideas to Action’ organised by Eurochild and Universal Education Foundation on 17 November 2016 at European Parliament, ASP 5G305 from 11.30-12.30 hours. A photo opportunity will be organised at 12.15 hours.
15 children from over 9 EU countries will travel to Brussels to share their experiences of being child mayors, child councillors and other positions allowing them to engage in decisions that affect the lives of children.
Hosted by Julie Ward MEP and the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights, the symposium will gather MEPs with the children to consider how the commitments made by over 100 MEPs under the Children’s Rights Manifesto can be turned into action. The Manifesto includes a pledge to “make proactive efforts to engage children in decision making, monitoring and evaluation through promoting their involvement within [their] constituency and in EU debates, and ensuring their access to relevant and age appropriate information.”
The participating children represent diverse countries and experiences. Sophie, 11 years, Netherlands, is the child mayor of Aalsmeer and has worked with refugee children on an action plan which she presented to the Mayor. Katja, 17 years, Croatia, is a child councillor in the child friendly city Opatija, where emphasis is put on listening to children’s voices in matters of concern to them. Ciril, 16 years, Slovenia was the President of the 25th National Children’s Parliament and has monitored how their work is implemented. Sharon, 12 years, Malta is actively blogging and speaking out via the President’s Foundation for Wellbeing of Society’s Child Council. David, 17 years, UK has been a board member on the ‘Child Friendly City’ Programme for Cardiff, Wales.
The children will also hold bilateral meetings with their European Parliamentarians throughout the day, following which they will give input to the development of Eurochild’s Internal Child participation strategy.
