Our Europe Our Rights Our Future
To prepare the new Strategy on the Rights of the Child and the Child Guarantee, the European Commission called on five child rights organisations – Eurochild, UNICEF, Save the Children, World Vision and Child Fund Alliance – to ensure child participation in the future that concerns them.
According to the data provided by thousands of respondents aged 11–17, all teenagers, regardless of their origin, religion or financial situation, want to participate in the decision-making process about things that concern them. On their behalf, we, the Child Advisory Board, call on politicians who should represent our interests to take our opinion into account and respect it in the same way as the opinion of adults
The report carefully analyses the children’s views and gives a deep insight into the reality – or sometimes the frustrations – a child faces when communicating and interacting in an adult-dominated world. One of the most worrying findings in this report is that 1 in 3 children in the EU has experienced some form of differential treatment. Equality, education and violence are the biggest priorities for every child. The children’s consultations conclude that equity and equality, education, protection from violence, mental health, and child participation should be the cornerstones of the EU Strategy on Children’s Rights and the Child Guarantee
Key findings of the report:
- 1 in 5 children feels unhappy and anxious for the future;
- 1 in 10 children said they have mental health problems or symptoms such as depression or anxiety;
- 1 in 3 experienced discrimination or exclusion;
- 88% of children and young people is aware of climate change.
