EU Council : UNICEF welcomes the adoption of conclusions on the Rights of the Child

UNICEF has been working to ensure that the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child is fully realized, so that the vision of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is integrated into EU policies, as well as those of each of its Member States. UNICEF collaborated with the European Commission on the development and adoption of this Strategy, notably by carrying out a consultation with over 10,000 young people to better understand their needs and raise awareness about the Strategy.

UNICEF has consistently advocated for the French Government to secure a strong political declaration from Member States in favor of children's rights during the tenure of its EU Presidency. Despite the packed agenda of the French Presidency, the Ministry of Justice and the State Secretariat for Children worked together to ensure that the conclusions were adopted. 

"We would like to salute the French government's mobilisation in favor of children's issues during the French presidency, particularly with regard to the child guarantee and the mental health of vulnerable young people, and for having successfully concluded the negotiations that have made it possible to have this strong political declaration in favor of children's rights today. More than ever, it is up to each of the European Union institutions and each of the Member States to put the best interests of the child above all other considerations," said Adeline Hazan, Vice-President of UNICEF France, and former MEP.

Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative to the European Institutions added: "UNICEF welcomes this historic victory for children and commends the strong joint commitment of EU Member States under the leadership of the French EU Presidency. The real work begins now - to meet the ambition set out in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and make this strategy a reality for every girl and boy."