Eurochild community gets stronger

The Eurochild community held its yearly gathering with the membership and children online on 17-18 June 2021. The membership voted on key aspects of Eurochild’s governance and membership, which now totals 191 members in 35 countries. In an Extraordinary General Assembly, members also adopted Eurochild’s revised statutes, internal rules and the network’s first Code of Ethics. Here are further highlights from the gathering!

In her opening Eurochild’s President H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca noted the symbolism of organising the General Assembly the same week as the adoption of the European Child Guarantee initiative by 27 EU Member States which “marks an important turning point in our history. Whereas Eurochild has been very strong at influencing at the level of the European Union – the Child Guarantee and EU Strategy are testimony to that influence – these instruments will only have a real impact on the lives of children if action is taken at national level.”

An expanded Management Board

The General Assembly voted on the Eurochild Management Board, now a team of eight! Julien Vangeertsom, a former Belgian civil servant who ensured child poverty was prioritised during Belgium’s EU Presidency in 2010, was voted in as a new, additional Board member for his first term of three years. Mariana Pisarska of National Network for Children Bulgaria and Miia Pitkanen of Central Union for Child Welfare Finland were re-elected for a second term of three years.

Welcoming new members

11 new members joined the Eurochild community following a vote by the General Assembly.

7 organisations were admitted as full members:

• Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany
• International Federation of Social Workers Europe, Germany
• Nestingplay, Hungary
• SOS Il Telefono Azzurro Onlus, Italy
• Plataforma de Apoio a Jovens Ex-Acolhidos, Portugal
• Friends of Romanian Children, Romania
• Voices From Care Cymru, Wales, United Kingdom                                                        

4 Individuals joined the membership:

• Raluca Verweijen-Slamnescu, Austria
• Ágnes Lux, Phd., Hungary
• Odete Severino, Portugal
• Polina Klykova, Ukraine

In addition to the official proceedings, members and children had several opportunities to share lessons and successes from their work over the past year. Eurochild also launched its digital annual report of 2020 showcasing the network’s many achievements and how it overcame the challenges.

A ‘shaping’ session gathered members’ views  on the external opportunities, threats and the evolving needs of the children’s rights community. This will inform the development of Eurochild’s next strategic plan for 2022-2025.

“By working with children, adults can better work for children.” – Andreas, Eurochild Children’s Council 

Eurochild’s also released its updated Child Participation Strategy reaffirming its commitment to meaningful child participation. The Eurochild Children’s Council played an important role in its development.

Further info:

• Meet the Eurochild Management Board and membership
• Read more – ‘Children’s rights gathering looks to national governments for action’