92001E0339

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0339/01

by Marielle De Sarnez (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: World summit for children in September 2001

At a meeting on 20 November 2000 in Paris, European ministers responsible for child welfare discussed at length issues relating to children and the family, and agreed that a European day for children's rights is to be held annually.

Agreement was also reached on reviving the European monitoring centre for children, setting up an emergency phone number for children suffering abuse and drawing up a European code of ethics concerning the quality of audio-visual programmes.

Looking ahead to the world summit for children to be held in New York in September 2001, what steps does the Commission intend to take to put into effect the decisions reached at the ministers' meeting of 20 November 2000, in order that Europe can be seen to be leading the way with regard to policies to protect children and promote the family?

Anwer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2001)

On 20 November 2000 in Paris EU Ministers responsible for children's matters agreed on a common action plan including undertakings for children's rights, and notably the establishment of tools for the operational follow-up. Taken the inter-governmental context of the agreed results of the ministerial meeting, the Commission will not undertake any specific initiative.

In spite of a very large number of interventions of relevance for children there is currently no explicit or formalised EC policy focus on childrens' issues. Especially in the field of humanitarian aid the issue of children in conflicts is given special attention. The Commission will however participate in co-ordination with the Member States in the preparatory process and Special Session for Children and will submit to the Special Session a factual document providing an overview of its activities in support of children, including in the field of development co-operation.