Eurochild's Wishes for this Festive Period
As the festive season approaches, Eurochild reflects on the progress made and the work still to be done to ensure that every child can thrive. In this season of hope and reflection, our Eurochild Children’s Council and our Secretariat team shared their wishes for a Europe that can prioritise every child’s well-being.
“We wish that child participation becomes an opportunity for ALL children to be heard and involved in decisions affecting them, with adults truly listening, communicating accessibly, acting on their opinions, and always providing feedback.” – Eurochild Children’s Council.
"This holiday season, I am wishing for a Europe where: Children's voices are heard in shaping policies, programmes, and decisions that impact their lives. Child participation isn’t just an idea—it’s our commitment. Every child’s right is protected and celebrated, no matter where they live, their ethnicity, social background, abilities, or the challenges they face. We stand strong against efforts to undermine children’s rights, standing united against forces seeking to erode the universal rights of children. Every child is safe from the devastating effects of war, with peace prevailing in every corner of the globe." - Sabine Saliba, Secretary General.
“I wish for an EU that upholds its values of human rights and ensures that all children's rights as laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are protected and anti-rights narratives are counteracted. I wish for the EU to be a beacon for child rights defenders.” – Mieke Schuurman, Director of Child Rights and Capacity Building.
“Our wish is to create a world where every child’s rights are upheld, free from discrimination and violence. We envision a society where all children—both within the EU and beyond—are protected, their needs understood and met, and where they have access to essential services that allow them to thrive. This vision includes ensuring children’s rights to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. We also wish for a future where no child lives in poverty and where peace prevails for every child everywhere. This is not just our wish but our ongoing commitment that drives our work every day and one we will continue to work tirelessly towards in 2025 and beyond.” – Ally Dunhill, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, and Francesca Pisanu, EU Advocacy Officer.
“I wish for a Europe that champions early childhood development as a key public policy priority. In an ageing Europe, facing challenges such as poverty, wars, migration, climate change, and political and social divides, the commitment to social and democratic values - and economic and social prosperity - begins with the youngest generations, in their early years and extending beyond, through access to quality education, healthcare, and social services.” – Agata D’Addato, Head of Programmes.
“We wish for all children to have access to online platforms and services that empower them to enjoy and develop safely, where they can grow and learn with age-appropriate interactions and content without being manipulated, coerced or exposed to harmful practices.” – Fabiola Bas Palomares, Lead Policy and Advocacy Officer - Online Safety, and Maël Leroux, Policy & Advocacy Intern - Online Safety.
"I wish the new European Commission and European Parliament would reaffirm their commitment to prioritizing children’s rights by ensuring the effective implementation of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. Combating child and family poverty must remain a top political priority, supported through adequate funding, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the European Child Guarantee. Additionally, a child rights impact assessment should be integrated into all EU policies. The preparation of the new Multiannual Financial Framework should also reflect a child-centred approach to the EU budget." – Zuzana Konradova, EU Affairs Coordinator.
“We hope for a Europe where open communication and the free exchange of information ensure that every voice, especially those of children and the most vulnerable, is heard and acted upon. Let clear communication bring people together, spark understanding, and inspire real action so that civil society organisations and institutions across Europe can unite to protect children’s rights and create a society where they can truly thrive.” – Davide Rambaldi, Communications Coordinator, and Federica Marra, Communications Officer.
“I wish for all human rights defenders to be able to carry out their work safely, free from threats or harm.” – Claire Boutry Özkan, Governance, Membership and HR Officer.
“I wish for a Europe that ensures equitable opportunities for all children, with a special focus on improving outcomes for those children and their families most at risk of harm, poverty, or discrimination. Eurochild's programmes are helping national civil society build capacities, improve services, influence those in power, and empower children to participate in decision-making - all with the shared goal of creating a more equitable society.” – Ciaran O’Donnell, Partnership and Programmes Coordinator.
“We wish for an EU where politicians and adults in power hear and respect every child’s voice in decision-making processes, with full accountability — meaning clear commitments, transparent actions, and feedback to children on how their ideas are shaping decisions. Including children in decision-making should not only be a momentary act, but the starting point for an intense exchange between children and adults on the development of policies, programmes and measures in all relevant contexts of children’s lives.” – Carine Le Borgne, Child Participation Coordinator, Laure Pailleau, Child Participation Officer, and Isabella Cervino, Child Participation Intern.