Children and young people have a key stake in Europe’s future. Not only because it is their future that is affected by today’s decisions, but also because their involvement in decision-making helps them to understand democratic values and fundamental freedoms which underpin the European project. They are voters of tomorrow and change-makers of today. As European leaders debate the future of Europe, UNICEF and Eurochild launched an online opinion poll (survey), inviting children and young people to share their views on the Europe they want. ‘Europe Kids Want’ gathered children’s and young people’s experience of family-life, school, society and their thoughts on Europe.
• 52 % of children and young people worry about not finding a job
• Two-thirds of children feel positive towards people from other countries
• 6 out of 10 children think that treating different people equally would make school a better place
• Children and young people of all ages are worried about online bullying
• Two-thirds of children are unhappy with the way cities and towns engage with them
• 41% of children think the EU makes their life better.
Their top three recommendations for the EU are:
• Help to keep peace in the world
• Protect the environment
• Help to make sure everyone is treated equally
Read the final results report here.