The Children of Europe: Eurochild and Child Participation in peacekeeping and peacebuilding in Ukraine
By: Julia Żakowska
Reading time: 3,3 minutes
"Ukrainian children are fleeing Russian aggression. Przemyśl, Poland 27/02/2022" by Mirek Pruchnicki is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
World Children’s Day gets celebrated each year on the 20th of November. In 2025, the Coordinator on children’s rights Ewa Kopacz representing the European Parliament, invited the children from the Eurochild Children’s Council on that occasion to talk about how to involve children’s voices in decisions of the future. The message of the ECC to the European Parliament is simple and clear: Children should be included and consulted in issues that concern them. In an awareness-raising video, children with a microphone in hand were given a voice and thus, called upon Article 3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which establishes the ‘best interests of the child’ as a primary consideration in all actions concerning children. During the meeting, VP Ewa Kopacz highlighted the need for education of children on their rights and their meaningful participation.
"Children who know their rights have the power to change the world for the better. Let’s listen to their voices", emphasized VP Ewa Kopacz.
Child Participation in peacekeeping and peacebuilding in the EU
It must be highlighted that when discussing the EU actions involving children in peacekeeping and peacebuilding, the focus does not lie on involving children in peacekeeping operations. Rather, an indirect contribution is made by empowering children, educating them about their rights, and amplifying their voices. This is how children can effectively and genuinely participate in peacekeeping while maintaining and protecting the Best Interests of the Child.
Child participation in the EU focuses on the ‘Lundy Model of Child Participation’ which was developed by Professor Laura Lundy, Professor of Children's Rights. Her model of child participation is based in its core on Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which establishes the right for children to express their views and for their views to be given due weight. Building on this article, Professor Lundy examines four areas of focus: space, voice, audience, and influence. Firstly, there needs to be a safe and encouraging platform for children to share their views, a space that is accessible and considerate of children’s vulnerability without minimizing their contribution. Secondly, adults need to welcome children’s voices by informing them of their right to do so and supporting them in making their voices heard. Thirdly, there needs to be an audience of decision-makers who are genuinely willing to listen to what children have to say and will consider their views. Lastly, visible influence of children’s views is crucial, thar highlights children’s impact and is used in the reasoning behind decision-making, making sure that children’s participation is not in vain. This approach considers the unique nature of child participation, understanding the value of children’s voices while also keeping in mind the vulnerability of the youngest members of society.
EU Children’s Participation Platform
Based on the Lundy Model, in 2022 the Commission introduced the EU Children's Participation Platform, taking an active role in including children in EU decision-making.
One of the main successes of the young Platform members was publishing a Call to Action, where they highlighted key proposals to decision makers, focusing on areas of (1) Intergenerational fairness, (2) Well-being in schools, (3) Working together against hate, (4) Online safety and cyberbullying, (5) Climate action. This Call to Action stemmed from workshops held by the Platform's General Assembly, which allowed the children to decide on the main areas they want to see improved. These ideas were shared at the European Forum on the Rights of the Child, where EU and national authorities could hear the children and take the initiative to bring them to life. Now it is up to the different EU groups and initiatives to duly consider the voices of European Children.
The Need for Safeguards
Keeping in mind that the primary concern is the Best Interests of the Child, it is essential that safeguards are established to protect children when giving them a platform to voice their opinions. It must be ensured that the participation of the children is voluntary under the notion of informed consent to treat the child with respect and not expose the child to a harmful environment. To do so, children must know their rights in order to make a conscious decision to participate. We also must avoid the instrumentalization of children’s narratives, which is detrimental to the trust established between children and institutions, and it takes advantage of vulnerable groups that just aim to be heard. Lastly, there needs to be a clear boundary between children’s voices and youth activists, for the consultation and active participation of children in peacekeeping and peacebuilding should not be considered politically charged, but rather as a genuine opinion of the most vulnerable members of society.
To achieve sustainable peace in Europe, with the focus on supporting children in Ukraine, it is important to understand and recognize the role of children. Peacekeeping and peacebuilding should include at its forefront children’s rights and children’s voices, where the Children’s Participation Platform, along with the EU, plays a significant role. We must support children where they need us most, and in order to do so, first we must listen to them.
