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New online survey for children - The Europe kids want

The survey is open until the 15th of January in several EU languages for children between 10- and 18-years old living in the European Union. The objective is to gather the views of children ahead of the EU elections on what future EU leaders should prioritize. The results will be consolidated in a report that will be launched in March. The consultation is put together by ChildFund Alliance, Eurochild, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages and UNICEF.

 
Framework partners get together

On 19 October, the European Commission held a meeting of CERV Framework Partners. The aim was to take stock of the successes and challenges faced by the partners so far, as well as look ahead at the coming years of collaboration. For the rights of the child session, we met online with ENOC, InHope, COPE, MCE and Child Helpline International. Read more about our partners in the document.

 
World Mental Health Day conference

On 10 October, join Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, representatives from the EU institutions, national governments, international organisations and other interested partners. At the conference you will hear from experts and those with lived experience, exchange on good practices and new approaches. The conference will cover the topics: Mental health across all policies; Promotion & Prevention; Equal access for all

 
Council of Europe Raoul Wallenberg Prize 2024

The Council of Europe Raoul Wallenberg Prize was set up in 2014. It rewards individuals, groups or organisations for their extraordinary humanitarian achievements. The sum awarded is €10 000 and the award ceremony will take place at the Council of Europe on 17 January 2024.

 
Call for Proposals JUST-2023-JTRA

Call for proposals for action grants to support transnational projects on judicial training covering civil law, criminal law or fundamental rights

 
The European Parliament sends a strong political message to address the specific plight of Children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine

The European Parliament adopted, on 7 April 2022, with an overwhelming majority a Resolution on the EU Protection of children and young people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Resolution features important provisions to address the specific plight of children and young people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. It stresses to need for the creation of a robust registration system at the border, to track and monitor children, with a particular attention of unaccompanied children to ensure they do not go missing or worse, end up in the hands of traffickers. It also includes strong measures to for the integration of these children in the hosting countries granting them immediate access to education and health on equal footing with their EU national peers, so as to ensure all these children are given a real change to excel and reach their full potential.

 
Commission proposes EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence

On 8 March 2022, the European Commission released its proposal on EU-wide rules to combat violence against women and domestic violence. The proposed Directive, once adopted, will criminalise rape based on lack of consent, female genital mutilation and cyber violence, which includes: non-consensual sharing of intimate images; cyber stalking; cyber harassment; and cyber incitement to violence or hatred. The new rules will also strengthen victims' access to justice and encourage Member States to implement a one-stop shop mechanism, meaning that all support and protection services would be located in the same place. The proposal also calls for adequate and specialised protection and support, for instance, through free of charge helplines and rape crisis centres. It also provides for targeted support for groups with specific needs or at risk, including women fleeing armed conflict. Contributing to the EU Strategy on Children’s rights, this proposal notably aims at providing for specific safeguards for children victims of violence against women or of domestic violence. They will guarantee, for example, that children can easily report offences and are provided with safe places for with parent offenders, who have rights of access.

 
Children and Young People's Online Questionnaire to inform the UN General Comment No. 26 on Children’s Rights and the Environment, with a special focus on Climate Change (deadline: 30 June)

Until 30 June 2022, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child invites young people from around the world to complete a questionnaire that will help shape the General Comment No. 26 (on Children’s Rights and the Environment with a Special Focus on Climate Change). This is the official UN guidance on what governments must do to uphold children’s rights and protect our planet. This consultation will help fill gaps in their current understanding of certain key issues and clarify difficult concepts (e.g. rights of future generations). Most importantly, it will integrate the voices of children and young people, as the most impacted by the issue.

 
Joint statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Eric DUPOND-MORETTI, Keeper of the Seals and Minister for Justice, concerning 116 006, the single European victim support line

On the European Day for Victims of Crime, 22 February, Eric Dupond-Moretti, Keeper of the Seals, Minister for Justice and President of the Council of EU Justice Ministers, and Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice, call on all Member States to implement and promote 116 006, the European number for the care and referral of all victims.