This year, in spite of the fully online format due to the Covid-19 restrictions, child participation was ensured, so that the main subjects of the Forum were effectively represented in the Forum. The participation of young people and children is indeed one of the core principles of DBI’s advocacy in the European institutions, in line with the Salesian guidelines in this field. Being member of the European platform “Eurochild”, DBI was able to have two young people selected to participate along with others who formed the Children’s Council of the Forum. Indeed, not only the Executive Secretary of DBI, Renato Cursi, was able to join the event, but also DBI Board Member Antoine Farrugia SDB, as accompanying adult of two minors, Stefania (15 years old) and Aaliyah (16). The two girls are members of the Core Team of the Salesjani Senglea Youth Centre (Malta), both active in the animation of the Oratory and aspiring future leaders and animators.
When asked by DBI at the end of the Forum about her personal experience in the EU Forum, Aaliyah wrote: “This experience for me was very different to what I usually join but certainly one I will never forget. We met new people and met other organizations. We also got to learn more about the rights of the child and about the involvement of the EU in this matter. An experience I will never forget.” Stefania was in agreement: “This was one of the best experiences I had. I learned a lot about different cultures around Europe and met lots of nice people. I had a chance to express myself and saw that the other participants heard what children like me wanted to say.”
The agenda of the EU Forum on the Rights of the Child included both high-level sessions, where three European Commissioners (for Democracy and Demography, Jobs and Social Rights, and Home Affairs) and some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) took the floor, and four workshops, respectively on 1) combating violence against children, 2) inclusive societies, 3) inclusive education and 4) child-friendly justice, where more interaction among participants was provided.
This year’s edition focused on the incoming adoption of two important measures focused on children across the European Union: the new version of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child and the brand new Child Guarantee, a social measure meant to support Member States in reducing child poverty. The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on children’s lives were also discussed. Specific attention was given to protecting vulnerable groups of children, such as children in institutions, those with disabilities and children in migration, as well as to preventing discrimination of children based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group or race.
