EuroChild Children’s Council

EuroChild is the largest network of children’s rights organisations in Europe, representing 211 organisations and individuals working with and for children. 

In February of this year, Young Wales supported Arthur T in his application to become a member of the 4th EuroChild Children’s Council. The application was considered against many others from across Europe for one of 8 places available on the 12-person council that would serve between June 2024 and June 2026.  

In April, Arthur received the email to confirm that he had been successful, commenting, “It feels like I have won the lottery” and “this is the jackpot of opportunities.” 

On June 28th, accompanied by Young Wales staff, Arthur travelled to Malta to meet with his new colleagues and the previous council to work on the handover and newly set priorities. 

One of the sessions worked on producing an “easy read” version of the Voice Project report. Working together, both councils took segments of the 80-page report and produced an 8 page summary suitable for all with the aim of being a document that would be attractive and informative for children and young people. 

At the end of the 3 days of sessions, the Handover Ceremony took place at the opening of the prestigious 2024 EuroChild Conference. Arthur had the opportunity to speak to 150 delegates including Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, KUOM who served as President of Malta from 2014 to 2019 and Michael Falzon the current Maltese Minister Social Policy and Children’s Rights. Arthur spoke about his excitement about being selected and his hopes and aims for the two years on the Council and the audience responded with warm laughter and applause. 

The Council will meet online to discuss and work on their priorities and will convene again in Brussels in November.