Conference: The role of civil society organisations in ensuring the health security of children and young people within the EU

By the EESC Civil Society Organisations’ Group

The topic of the conference, held on 15 May, was the mental and physical condition of young Europeans and the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in supporting it. The event was organised in the framework of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on the initiative of the Polish Minister for Civil Society, Adriana Porowska, and the Civil Society Organisations’ Group at the EESC.

The conference welcomed representatives of Polish and other EU Member States’ civil society organisations, as well as scientists, practitioners and other stakeholders engaged in the broad field of child and youth development.

• The event’s theme was directly aligned with the Polish Presidency’s overarching motto: security.
• The goal of the meeting was to exchange experiences and raise awareness among EU and Member State decision-makers about the potential and role of CSOs in health-related activities for children and young people, including areas such as education, prevention, physical activity and early response to threats.
• A panel addressed global issues such as environmental pollution and climate change, as well as societal challenges like childhood cancer.

“The unpredictability and volatility of new threats raise questions about society’s and administrations’ ability to protect their youngest [members] from harm and to provide them with optimal conditions for stable development”, Ms Porowska said before the event.

“We are witnessing the long-term effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine on our society – trauma, family separation and displacement. Many Polish families are suffering from poverty and extreme hardship. Each of these brings immense difficulties and consequences for the mental well-being of younger generations. In this context, we must also focus on digital security. Protecting children from harmful or fake content, including climate disinformation, is just as important as safeguarding their physical health”, emphasised Deputy Minister Marek Krawczyk, representing Ms Porowska at the conference.

“Health security must be a key strategic priority at European and national level. Investing in the well-being and health of children and young people, notably in their mental health, means investing in a sustainable future. Prevention, early intervention, education, social networks and community-based initiatives play a crucial role. This is why civil society organisations must be more involved in defining, evaluating and monitoring health security priorities. We all experienced the added value of their activities during the COVID-19 crisis, and the power of civil-society-driven innovations has been presented again here today,’ said Séamus Boland, President of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group at the EESC.

Read the full press release

Read the conclusions and recommendations of the event