When one in four children in the EU is growing up at risk of poverty and social exclusion, investing in children is an economic necessity as much as a moral imperative, writes Jana Hainsworth.
The EU has set itself an ambitious social agenda in the shape of the European Pillar of Social Rights, but the biggest test will be whether decision-makers will put their money where their mouths are by providing the necessary funds, writes Jana Hainsworth.
Romania should use its presidency of the EU Council to champion the move from old-style care institutions to community-based child care and show other EU member states it can be done, writes Jana Hainsworth.
Most people debating the future of Europe think in economic terms. But today we must think about how children in Europe are experiencing their childhood, as that will be the biggest determining factor of our future, writes Jana Hainsworth.
Real progress to eradicate poverty and promote social justice for all is within the grasp of the EU, but it will take ambitious political commitment at November’s Social Summit to make gains in reaching a truly social Europe, explain Jana Hainsworth and Luis Alvarado Martinez.
Whatever decisions the EU makes about its future at the Rome summit and beyond, it should recognise the improvements to the lives of children as one if its great achievements and make this a foundation for future action, writes Jana Hainsworth.
The European Pillar of Social Rights is the European Commission’s attempt to create the social ‘triple A’ rating that its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, set as a goal of his term in office. Its success is hinged on whether the EU puts social rights at the heart of its work, writes Jana Hainsworth.
President Juncker will address the European Parliament tomorrow (14 September) on the State of the Union, and then the informal meeting in Bratislava will discuss Europe’s future. Jana Hainsworth urges EU leaders to think about how Europe can best serve its children.
The EU has spent years building a safety net for the most vulnerable children in society, but the UK’s decision to cut child benefits may not save any money, but could lead the whole system to unravel, writes Jana Hainsworth.
On Universal Children's Day, Jana Hainsworth argues that EU policy must keep children at its heart, from ending child poverty in the EU to dealing with the migrant crisis.
As poverty and inequalities worsen in the European Union, Frans Timmermans needs to nurture the debate between European decision-makers and civil society, not criticise the intentions and effectiveness of the latter, writes Jana Hainsworth.
