Principles and Objectives

The activities of the European Children’s Network are founded on a list of principles to which all members subscribe. These principles and objectives represent the core values that underpin the work of the European Children’s Network and are based on the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

• Children have a right to live without experiencing prejudice, exclusion and discrimination.
• Children have a right to be heard within the European Institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the Council of Europe.
• Children have a right to be recognised as citizens of the EU; a statement of their fundamental rights should be included in the EU Treaties.
• EU Member States have a duty to support, promote and amend legislation to fully reflect and implement the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Politicians, political parties and political groups have a duty to give priority to children’s rights in their manifestos and programmes.
• The European Children’s Network members undertake to develop inclusive and participatory work with children.
• The European Children’s Network members undertake to promote the rights and needs of children through effective campaigning on children’s issues within the context of the developing EU.