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having regard to Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

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having regard to Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

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having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,

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having regard to the EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child (COM(2011)0060),

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having regard to the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (COM(2021)0142),

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having regard to the Council of Europe’s Revised European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life,

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having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution on the rights of the child,

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having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.

whereas children’s rights are human rights; whereas every child should enjoy the same rights and be able to live free from discrimination or intimidation of any kind;

B.

whereas the protection and promotion of the rights of the child is a core objective of the EU; whereas the EU’s ambition is to build the best possible life for children both in the EU and worldwide;

C.

whereas children play a crucial role in our societies; whereas their active involvement can help shape and build child-friendly cities that promote the full realisation of their rights at all levels; whereas they are at the forefront of raising awareness about environmental challenges and climate change, the digital transformation and online safety, and discrimination and injustice; whereas they represent not only the voice of today’s youth, but also the leaders of tomorrow;

D.

whereas children should have the right to the best possible start in life and to develop to their full potential; whereas this includes the right to live on a clean and healthy planet, in a protective and caring environment, to enjoy quality education and to have access to child-friendly recreational, cultural and artistic activities;

E.

whereas access to education is a fundamental human right; whereas formal, non-formal and informal education are the basis for equal opportunities and the individual promotion of talents and potential;

F.

whereas the EU and its Member States should join forces to fulfil their shared responsibility to respect and protect the rights of every child and to build, together with children, more inclusive, healthier and fairer societies;

G.

whereas all children have the right to protection from poverty and social exclusion; whereas the European Child Guarantee is an EU instrument whose objective is to prevent and combat poverty and social exclusion by guaranteeing free and effective access for children in need to essential care services, such as early childhood education and care, educational and school-based activities, healthcare and at least one healthy meal per school day, and effective access for all children in need to healthy nutrition and adequate housing;

H.

whereas all families and communities must also be provided with the necessary support so that they can ensure their children’s well-being and development;

I.

whereas in order to achieve these objectives, children must have the opportunity to regularly come together and get to know and develop a better understanding of each other, thus participating in shaping the future of the European project;

J.

whereas the European Capital of Youth was created in 2009; whereas adequate EU funding could ensure that it realises its full potential; whereas the European Capitals for Children should complement and go hand in hand with the European Capital of Youth;

K.

whereas further research and assessments are needed to develop this initiative; whereas the input from local authorities and non-governmental organisations working for children’s rights is fundamental in shaping it;