Children Excluded From The Debates On The Future Of Europe

The Convention on the future of the EU enters its 3rd plenary session (23-24 May). The working groups and a so-called “Youth” Convention have been set up, but these exclude children.
THE EUROPEAN CHILDREN’S NETWORK, EURONET, believes it is time to tackle the issue of the “invisibility” of more than 90 million European citizens, its children, in the EU legal texts. The convention should propose inclusion in the revised EU treaty the principle of the best interests of the child. EURONET has submitted to the members of the European Convention its proposal to include an article on children’s rights in the next EU Treaty.
Diana Sutton, Save the Children European officer, said “Animals are mentioned in the EU Treaty, but children are not – there is no reference to promoting children’s best interests in relevant EU policy, and legislation. Coupled with this, children have been excluded from the discussions in the Youth Convention. This is ridiculous when the UN Special Session on Children this month involved children from all parts of the world, represented at all levels. If the UN can do it, the EU can certainly do it.”

Democratic Europe has to guarantee the participation of all, including its children.

- All EU member states have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). However, the EU, which passes legislation with direct, or indirect, bearing on children’s lives, is under no such obligation.
- A major flaw of the Treaties on the EU is that they do not incorporate respect for the rights of the child. In EU law children are seen as “victims” or “dependants” or “barriers to work.” The legal status of the child in the EU Treaty is unclear and when a child-related legal measure is adopted, it is only in an ad hoc manner.
- EU legislation becomes increasingly complex and risks affecting children in a negative way.

EURONET had drafted a series of proposals to allow for the inclusion of children legal status in the revised EU treaty. These proposals consider 3 key issues:
1. The General recognition of children’s rights in the EU Treaty text should be inspired by the principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
2. Extending the EU’s practice for youth to the children. The EU Treaty refers to youth with respect to education and vocational training and no mention to children is to be found next to youth issues.
3. A legal base for children would mainstream a child perspective in all EU actions, within the existing competencies of the EU.

Children are European citizens too, and should be treated as such. The promotion of children’s participation in the design of the "future of Europe" not only seeks the protection of our children, but also to contribute to a social Europe with the involvement of all its citizens.

For more information contact:
Europeanchildrenetwork@skynet.be