European children and Margot Wallström discuss the future of Europe live on the Internet

"We would like a world where diversity is a reality, where there is economic balance between Member States, a world where all people have the same rights and responsibility, where there is no violence, especially no violence against children, a world where people protect the earth instead of destroying it"

                                            -    Message of children meeting Margot Wallström

On Monday, 20 November at 16.00 CET, Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström and young people from Finland, Lithuania, Romania, Spain and the UK gathered in Brussels to debate the future of Europe. Children and young people from all around Europe joined in on the debate online and expressed their concerns and wishes.

The young participants, together with the online chatters, discrimination, poverty, access to information, climate change and unemployment. Violence against children, violence in schools and the negative influence of alcoholism on children and families were emphasized along with the well-being of children in institutions and initiatives to better integrate them in societies, was raised, as well. Commissioner Wallström stressed the need for the European Institutions to be closer to their citizens and the positive impact that communication between the Institutions and the citizens can have.  She highlighted the need to listen to citizens, including young citizens, and the need to use various media such as television, radio and internet, when communicating with and listening to citizens.

Commissioner Wallström informed the panel and online chatters about initiatives taken by the European Commission in the area of student exchange programs, exchange programs for young people from different European regions, and the recent Commission Communication on alcoholism (see article above). Concerning the environment, she referred to her previous role as Commissioner for Environment and the efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions and limit climate change. She agreed with the children and young people on the need for diversity and the advantages of a society without segregation. Margot Wallström clarified that in most of the cases, Member States are responsible for taking decisions but promised to take the issues back to the European Commission and share them with her colleagues.

To listen to the debate in one the EU's official languages (as well as Romanian or Bulgarian) click here. Save the Children is interested in receiving comments on the debate as well as ideas for follow up from children and young people in Europe and elsewhere! Please contact us by sending an email to savechildbru@skynet.be  - mark your email "Future of Europe".

Save the Children welcomes this web-chat as one step towards an EU that listens and learns from its youngest citizens and will continue its work to promote children's participation in EU affairs. Save the Children is currently preparing a summary of the input we have received from children and young people on the White Paper on a European Communication Policy. The report, which will be submitted to Commissioner Wallström will be made available on our website www.savethechildren.net/brussels

For more information please contact Olivia Lind Haldorsson, olivia-savechildbru@skynet.be  

A vision of Europe and child rights seen from a young person's perspective.

Article by Kirsten Kvalø, young moderator at the Web cast with Margot Wallström

We are dealing with a lot of important things in Europe today, and maybe the most important thing is to make the European Union an open and democratic organization. I mean that too many of our world-wide organizations and institutions have developed to become powerful and important, but non-democratic, organizations that threaten people's, especially young people's, understanding of democracy and the responsibility in global challenges.

Beside this, one huge challenge for Europe today is to provide the understanding that we live on a continent where people, in general, have better living conditions than people, in general, have in the rest of the world. Europeans have a responsibility for lending a hand to people who need help in other parts of the world who need help, not only in the form of funding, but also as guidance on how to build states of welfare, etc.

My vision is a world where the rights of the child, as they are formulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, are realized and abided. Special issues where I see that we have a long way to go are the rights of refugee children, the consequences of International trade politics, child solders and the young victims of wars.

I would like European governments to reconsider their strict policies on refugees through the Schengen Agreement. I want a policy that is based on human rights and the Refugee Convention, and I believe that this will partly solve the problem with the smuggling of people across the borders.

I am 19 years old and just recently moved away from home to Oslo, the capital of Norway. This year, I am not studying. Instead  I work with PRESS - Save the Children Youth of Norway. I also work part-time in a Kindergarten class, so I guess you can say that children are a big part of my life in many ways. I am very interested in children as resources, not as passive figures, and I really want their rights to be realized in all parts of the world.

Next year, I am planning to start studying to become a pedagogue. Motivation, ways of learning and the importance and relevance of education are things I am really interested in, want to learn more about, and pursue as a career.  My ambition is to be the Norwegian Minister of Education, and well, we'll see about that, haha. Other jobs that I could wish to have are to work as a researcher on education or maybe in an organisation like Save the Children. My interests, besides politics and PRESS, are dancing, swimming, diving, photo and literature, though I must admit that being an engaged youth takes a lot of time and energy away from hobbies and friends.

I got involved with this important debate through my organization, PRESS. We have, for many years, been active in the work for making children a part of important debates because, as I mentioned earlier, children are resources in every society. Children are experts on being children, so let's listen to what they say!

Interview with Faisa Hassan, participant to the Webcast with Margot Wallström

During her stay in Brussels, Faisa Hassan, a 15 year old student from Finland, agreed to answer questions from Espérance Kana (Information Officer). Jaana Anttila, accompagning adult of Faisa, translated from Finnish to English.

Espérance: Today is 20 November, the International Children's Day. What does it mean for you?

Faisa: I have two points about this. The first is that this day represents the relationship between adults and children. It should represent special attention to children and communication with them. On this day, adults can try to understand children's views. The second is that one should have a global point of view and remember that children in Finland are safer and happier than many other children in the world. There are many children living in difficult conditions;  there are children who are underfed or with no daily bread. We have to remember this, and I emphasize this in our school council.

How did you react when you learned that you are coming to Brussels to meet a European Commissioner?

In the beginning, I was nervous, and I thought that it was overwhelming. This changed when I learned more about it. I relaxed. We organized a workshop, and the matter was discussed in the school council. All the topics I brought here were discussed and shared with other young people. Finally, expressing views here in Brussels was similar to the job I do in the school council.

Can you tell me more about the school council?

The school council is made up of 40 students. 20 are younger students and 20 are from higher classes. I represent both of them. We do a lot in our school (Käpylän persusloulu: Käpylä Comprehensive school). We raise money to run projects; we have exchange programs between schools in Saint Petersburg, Vyborg and our school; we cover travel expenses of students who cannot afford the cost. For a better integration of new students, we organize the "adventure day" and put tutoring systems in place. We also organize "hunger day" where we sell ice cream and donate the money we collect to an international humanitarian organization. We have organized our school logo competition and we will be giving a prize.

How is the debate with Margot Wallström going to affect your future or your work in the school council?

The meeting will affect me in three ways:

• This was a positive experience. I realized how easy it is to act on a podium if one is prepared. I will encourage the students to represent others in a formal way. I will talk to them about how to debate and how to deal with an official gathering.
• This experience has also made me think that I would like to enter Save the Children and encourage others to join Save the Children's activities around the world.
• In the future I would like to be doing this representation work to influence the political agenda at national and international levels.

NGO Input to COHOM Review 2006

The Council's Working Group on Human rights, commonly known as COHOM, is undertaking a review of its activities over 2006 regarding children affected by armed conflict. In this context the Brussels-based Coalition on Children Affected by Armed Conflict, of which Save the Children is a member, together with the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, sent a letter to the EU Presidency and other key EU officials, outlining its recommendations to improve the EU's activities in this domain.

We once again urged the EU to undertake a child impact analysis - to see what difference its actions had really made for children on the ground - and for DDR (disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration) to begin much sooner for children, rather than waiting for the adoption of a formal peace agreement. We also focused on the need to adapt the EU's Guidelines and its Implementation Strategy to emergency and quickly evolving crises, when children are most in need of protection. So far, the EU's response to crises displays a regrettable absence of any reference to children's rights or child protection.

The Coalitions provided updates on 4 country situations: Sudan/Darfur, DRC, Northern Uganda and Nepal.

For further information, please write to Tanya-savechildbru@skynet.be

Fighting Trafficking in Human Beings: European Parliament Report and Statement by Commissioner Frattini

On 16 November the European Parliament adopted a report on trafficking in human beings drafted by Slovak MEP Edit Bauer. The report, which stresses the need of victim identification and protection, formulates recommendations for an integrated action plan and coordinated measures by Member States. It proposes a European anti-trafficking day on 25 March.

Specific provisions in relation to children include a call on the EU Member States to "respect in their legislation as well as in their administrative practice the UN [Convention on the Rights of the Child] definition of the child, i.e. every human being below the age of 18 years"2; and to ensure that the best interests of the child is a primary consideration during the whole decision-making process and in all actions concerning children. The report also says that "Member States shall ensure that a child who is capable of forming his or her own views has the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child and that the views of the child are given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child". Special protection measures for children and a child protection policy according to UNICEF Guidelines and Reference Guide should be implemented in both countries of origin and destination, including more street social work, family assistance, building a safety net for children, more information on the risks of unsafe migration, and assisted returns according to the views and best interest of the child. Finally, Member States should fully implement the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Inter-country Adoption to avoid illegal adoption.

Save the Children, together NGOs including Amnesty International, Terre des Hommes, Plan International, La Strada and ISCOS  welcomed the report's broad approach which included various forms of exploitation that trafficked persons, including children, can be subject to as well as its comprehensive set of recommendations.

Almost a week after the adoption of the report, Commissioner Franco Frattini, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, while speaking at an International Seminar on Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation organised by IOM, emphasized victim protection and deplored Member States' lack of commitment:

"The fight against trafficking is a clear political priority. It is a complex and specific phenomenon. In some cases there is trafficking of citizens of Member States, especially in case of sexual exploitation. Moreover, in the trafficking process there is always a person whose fundamental rights have been violated. In the trafficking process, there is always a victim.

For this reason, assistance and protection of victim's rights must be at the centre of our political action. It is essential that the Member States accelerate the implementation of the Directive 2004/81. The transposition deadline expired on 6 August 2006 and as I announced last week in Strasbourg - since we got no notification by 12 Member States and only two notified full transposition - we are going to launch infringement procedures".

For more information please contact Olivia Lind Haldorsson, olivia-savechildbru@skynet.be

Resources

European Parliament report
Commissioner Frattini's speech

Commission Consultation on Child Safety and Mobile Phones

Save the Children has provided input to the Commissions public consultation on the potential risks for children of using mobile phones, which was launched in July this year. The use of mobile phones is steadily increasing among children and the average age of the users is decreasing.

Concerns highlighted by Save the Children include bullying, grooming by potential abusers, stalking, exposure to illegal and/or potentially harmful content, aggressive consumer targeting and mobile phone dependency. Parents are often not aware of the potential risks involved.

Save the Children recommends increased awareness-raising on the opportunities and risks that children face using mobile phones and new technologies in general. Other recommendations include e.g. age verification at the purchase of mobile phones and pre-paid cards, moderation of chat-rooms and co-regulatory frameworks.

For more information please contact Olivia Lind Haldorsson, olivia-savechildbru@skynet.be

Children's Safety on Internet: Adoption of a report on the protection of minors and human dignity.

On Tuesday 28 November, the Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on actions to protect children from inappropriate content on the Internet.  The Committee on Culture and Education adopted a report drafted by Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE, FR) on the protection of minors and human dignity, and the right of reply in relation to the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and information service industry. The European Union considers it urgent to provide measures at European level to ensure a minimum degree of protection from harmful content for the most vulnerable and children.  The Committee on Culture and Education of the European Parliament welcomed a Commission proposal on the possible creation of a new top-level domain named ".KID.eu" (like .com or .org), with content designed for children. Save the children advocates for a secure use of internet by children and is concerned by abuse images of children circulating on the web. In its report Visible Evidence Forgotten Children issued in October 2006, Save the Children calls the attention of all actors involved in this areas to combine efforts to identify victims whose images are on the internet (see Newsletter September /October)

Download the report
More information from the European Parliament

News in Brief

Health: The European Commission addresses alcoholism among young people.

On 24 October, the European Commission adopted a Communication on reducing alcohol related harm in Europe. Priorities identified in the Communication are: to protect young people and children; reduce injuries and deaths from alcohol-related road accidents; prevent harm among adults and reduce the negative impact on the economy; raise awareness of the impact on health of harmful alcohol consumption; and help gather reliable statistics. The Communication emphasises the negative impact of alcohol abuse on children including health problems and deaths in relation to under-age drinking as well as child abuse and neglect. In the age group of 15-29 years over 10% of female mortality and around 25% of male mortality are due to hazardous alcohol consumption. 16% of cases of child abuse and neglect can be attributed to abuse of alcohol.

Together with Member States and other key stakeholders, the European Commission, will among other things, develop strategies to curb under-age drinking and will pay special attention on the increased drinking of alcohol among girls. An "Alcohol and Health Forum" is planned by June 2007.

More information  
Download the Communication

Programme encourages young people 'to feel more European'

On 25 October 2006, the Parliament adopted the new Youth in Action programme for 2007-2013. Some €885 million is budgeted for this programme. The aim of this program is to increase the idea of belonging to the EU and to promote social cohesion and intercultural dialogue among young people aged 15-28 (13-30 for some specific actions).

"This new programme aims at encouraging young people to work together to acquire new skills through non-formal education activities, for a common project, for the defense of cultures, for a future of prosperity, understanding and peace," said Ján Figel, commissioner for education, training, culture and multilingualism. The five areas that this Programme will support are: Youth for Europe, European Voluntary Service, Youth of the world, Youth workers and support systems, Support for policy cooperation in the field of youth which prepare them to participate in democratic life.

Read the Press Release

Funds for an integrated return policy for Migrant

On 7 November the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament voted to give the go-ahead to the proposed European Return Fund. The aim of the fund is to improve the management of returning illegal immigrants to their country of origin, by providing support to Member States. The financial envelope agreed upon is 1,820 million EUR for the period starting on 1 January 2007 up to 31 December 2013. The European Return Fund receives 676 million for the same period. The report, drawn up by Barbara Kudrycka ((EPP-ED, PL) was amended to reinforce the principle that any action co-financed by the Fund complies with fundamental rights, mainly in taking into account the most "vulnerable groups". Other funds agreed on the same day cover the control of external borders and a common visa policy together with the integration of legally resident immigrants and asylum policy.

More information