The seminar entitled, Improving the well-being of young children in Europe: the role of early years services, is being organised by Eurochild, an organisation representing children’s umbrella bodies and child welfare agencies across the EU, together with UNICEF. 

The seminar comes in the wake of recent research by UNICEF, Report Card 8, the findings of which reveal that much more needs to be done for Europe’s youngest children.  The seminar will consider the implications of this research for EU early years policies and practices. 

Delegates are expected to call on the European Union to widen the Barcelona targets beyond the labour market to include all children and families. These targets, established in 2002, called on member states to provide more services for parents in paid employment.

Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, Bronwen Cohen, also Chair of the Eurochild Early Years Thematic Working Group will chair the seminar in Brussels.   

Speaking in advance of the event, Stihler said:

 “We need practical and sustainable goals and solutions in order to tackle child poverty at a Scottish, UK and Europe-wide level. This event will ensure an information exchange that is necessary in order to implement and change EU legislation to ensure it is as effective as possible.

“I am very concerned by the recent reports with regards to child poverty in Scotland, and when the headlines disappear we need to ensure that politicians at Scottish, UK and European levels remain vigilant in ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.”

Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, Bronwen Cohen said:

“A Scottish Government report just out finds that child poverty could be costing Scotland up to ¾ billion pounds [in the extra cost of support services], but the report also acknowledges that breaking the poverty cycle could result in incalculable long term benefits.

“Scotland has the opportunity to develop a new strategy for support for the early years that could break this cycle. The Scottish Government could be a trail blazer in the vital area of early years services. Its early years framework could ensure that services are delivered in a genuinely holistic way for children, following the recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Starting Strong II report and taking into account forthcoming recommendations by Unicef (Report Card 8).

“But Scotland shouldn’t have to go it alone, which is why we are calling on the European Commission to help take the lead.”