A/HRC/19/64
Steps taken by the Commission so far to consult children and listen to them tt are a starting
point in providing possibilities for greater participation of children in the development and
implementation of actions and policies that affect them, such as for example education,
health or environment policies. To this end, the Commission will draw on the expertise of
the European Forum on the Rights of the Child and will continue to work with this Forum
and with Ombudspersons for children and other relevant partners in this area.
To ensure better and more effective information of children about their rights and about
relevant EU policies will require consolidation and modernisation of existing information
tools. At present the information targeting children on the EU's web portal EUROPA can be
found via Quick links for kidsuu and the Teachers' Cornervv. These links give access to
material provided by all EU institutions which is relevant for children. Many of the material
accessible from these web pages are also hosted on individual Commission Directorate
Generals' or the websites of other EU institutions. However, comprehensive, consolidated
and easily accessibly information on the rights of the child and EU policies relevant for
children is currently missing.
Action:
11.
The Commission will set up, in the course of 2011, a single entry point on EUROPA
with information for children on the EU and on the rights of the child. This single entry
point will provide easy access to information that can be understood by children of different
age groups and can be used by parents and teachers to find information and teaching
materials. The Commission will invite other EU institutions to join this initiative.
Conclusion
With this EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child, the Commission calls on the EU
institutions and on the Member States to renew their commitment to step up efforts in
protecting and promoting the rights of children. The action of the EU should be exemplary
in ensuring the respect of the provisions of the Treaties, the Charter of Fundamental Rights
of the European Union and of the UNCRC with regard to the rights of children. The
Commission will review regularly progress made in the implementation of the EU Agenda
for the Rights of the Child in its Annual Report on the application of the Charter.
As underlined in the Europe 2020 Strategy, the long-term effects of not investing enough in
policies affecting children may have a profound impact on our societies. Many of these
policies require determined action by the Member States, and the Commission is ready to
offer its support and cooperation. The Commission will continue to play its part in joint
efforts to achieve well-being and safety of all children. A renewed commitment of all actors
is necessary to bring to life the vision of a world where children can be children and can
safely live, play, learn, develop their full potential, and make the most of all existing
opportunities.
tt
uu
vv
Eurobarometer Qualitative study on the Rights of the Child, October 2010, available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/quali/ql_right_child_sum_en.pdf
http://europa.eu/quick-links/eu-kids/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu/teachers-corner/index_en.htm
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