Universal Children’s Day, held every 20 November, was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1954. To honour children this year, Education, Culture and Youth Commissioner Androulla Vassilio is advocating the improvement of education throughout Europe.
Programmes such as Comenium (which allows children to learn about other cultures, languages and values), EU Youth in Action, and the ‘Europe Loves Reading’ allow international exchange between approximately 400,000 young people per year. The programmes provide support for training, education, sport activities, volunteering and study abroad to Europe’s youth.
Vassilio said: "Children and young people are the most vulnerable members of our societies. They need care, protection and support. In these difficult times we must not reduce our support for them but rather strengthen our actions to make sure that they have a future. I will soon propose a new programme that will considerably increase the EU's investment in education, training and youth to the benefit of young people in Europe and beyond."