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2. Senior Policy Adviser UNICEF – Brussels Office Relations with the EU Institutions Margaret Wachenfeld

3. Children’s Right to be Heard in the Fight against Child Poverty and for Child Well-Being CHALLENGES Children’s Right to be Heard  Limited Understanding of Meaningful Participation  Initiatives on Participation are Under-Resourced

4. Children’s Right to be Heard in the Fight against Child Poverty and for Child Well-Being RECOMMENDATIONS Children’s Right to be Heard  Governments should adopt necessary laws and policies that recognize the child’s right to be heard and participate in all decisions that affect them, and provide specific opportunities for participation in policy making.  Ensure policies addressed at tackling child poverty and social exclusion reflect the views and suggestions of children themselves, including those most marginalised.  Ensure all those working with and for children understand the impact of poverty and social exclusion and the need to listen and to take account of the views of children. 4

5. Children’s Right to be Heard in the Fight against Child Poverty and for Child Well-Being CHALLENGES Participation of children in social, recreational, cultural, sporting and civic activities  Participation of Younger Children Is Not Addressed  Many Young People Are Still Marginalised

6. Children’s Right to Be Heard in the Fight against Child Poverty and for Child Well-Being RECOMMENDATIONS Participation of children in social, recreational, cultural, sporting and civic activities  Recognising the importance of culture, youth work and sports activities in the inclusion and well-being of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, specific targeted actions should be supported to reach out to these groups.  Schools should promote more and better quality after- and outside school activities that give all children to access cultural, recreational, sporting activities that build self-esteem, reduce frustration and support overall learning and well-being. 6

7. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE 7

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