Council of Europe calls for more participation of children and young people in decision making

Children and the youth have the right, from an early age, to be heard and taken seriously. It is fundamental to their dignity and healthy development. Effective implementation of the right to have their best interests ensured should be considered in every single matter children and young people are affected by. It includes protection from violence, abuse, neglect and maltreatment.

Drawing on a comprehensive set of exisiting international and European legislations, the Recommendation adopted urges the governments of the Member States to:

 Ensure that all children and young people can exercise their right to be heard, to be taken seriously and to participate in decision making in all matters affecting them, their views being given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity.

 Encourage the exchange of knowledge and of good practice on the implementation of this recommendation at local, regional, national and European levels and with civil society.

 Take into consideration in their legislation, policies and practices the principles and measures contained in the appendix to this recommendation.

 Ensure that this recommendation (...) is translated and disseminated as widely as possible, including to children and young people, using child- and youth-friendly means of communication.

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 WHO Europe series on “Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response”

 Unicef’s report on The State of the World’s Children 2012: Children in an Urban World

 Eurostat statistics published: 23% of EU population, including 27% of children in poverty in 2010

 New Council of Europe Strategy on the Rights of the Child

 The European Commission and OECD boost co-operation on early childhood education and care.

 EPHA Briefing on Children’s Health