Tackling child inequalities begins at local level
As the European Commission presents today its proposals for a Strategy on the Rights of the Child and a European Child Guarantee, the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions is launching a campaign to turn the spotlight on the innovative childcare policies implemented on the ground by local and regional authorities.
“Children must be at the centre of every decision we take as mayors, local councillors, or regional leaders. We welcome the European Commission’s proposals and we call for further support for local and regional authorities to make sure every child has the same rights in the EU. The situation of children in the EU has worsened with the COVID‑19 pandemic and addressing it effectively is a key political demand of our political family”, said Christophe Rouillon, President of the PES Group and Mayor of Coulaines (France).
On the occasion of World Children’s Day on 20 November 2020, the PES Group, in cooperation with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), launched a call for a Child Union, signed by over 400 prominent figures, with the overall objective of fighting child deprivation and promoting equal opportunities for all children within the EU, through:
- a rapid entry into force of the European Child Guarantee;
- the development of an investments ecosystem for European children starting with a correct planning of the Next Generation EU funding;
- universal and equal access to quality and inclusive early childhood education and care.
“Naming the Recovery Plan ‘Next Generation’ cannot remain just a mere slogan. These fresh resources must be used to make sure every child in Europe has access to free health care, free education and childcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition. Collecting cities’ and regions’ best practices can show us how much is already done locally and what kind of support is needed to create a better Europe for all children,” added Rouillon.
Local and regional authorities are invited to contribute with best practices on the PES Group website. The results of the project will be presented before the summer 2021.