Government meets National Children’s and Youth Council on World Children’s Day and National Children’s Rights Protection Day

On World Children’s Day and National Children’s Rights Protection Day, a meeting was held between the leadership of the Government of Ukraine and the National Consultative Children’s and Youth Council.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, and the Presidential Advisor and Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation, Daria Herasymchuk.

Together with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, Denys Uliutin, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Matvii Bidnyi, they held a dialogue with young people on youth participation in state decision-making, internships, and education.

The event brought together 23 youth representatives from different regions of Ukraine. Members of the youth council raised questions on issues that most affect the lives of children and adolescents, in particular bullying among children, violations of children’s rights within the family, cybersecurity, sexual violence, quality leisure opportunities, and psycho-emotional well-being.

For the Government, it is important to provide support, resources, and platforms so that young people can realise even their most ambitious dreams here at home, in Ukraine.

“The task of the Government is to provide support, resources, and platforms so that young people can realise any of their most ambitious dreams here at home, in Ukraine. It is vital that the voice of youth is heard in state policy and has real influence. That is why we have established Youth Councils, which now operate in most ministries. We call on young people to have no fear and to get involved in the work of the Government. Your ideas, your energy, and your desire to act are needed by Ukraine here and now,” stressed Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

The Presidential Advisor and Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation, Daria Herasymchuk, emphasised: “Today, on Children’s Rights Protection Day and World Children’s Day, we are not merely recalling the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – we are demonstrating how its principles work in practice. This is precisely why the National Consultative Children’s and Youth Council was created: so that children from all over the country have their own voice at the same table as the Government, and we adults responsibly seek solutions together with them. Such steps are made possible thanks to our partners, in particular Terre des hommes in Ukraine, who consistently support a culture of children’s participation.”