Every child should have the ability to learn, lead, decide and thrive. That means creating a just world in which all children’s rights are realised.

The EU can play a leading role in helping to achieve this vision. Through its actions and policies, the EU has the ability to positively influence the lives of millions of children worldwide.

The revised EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child, adopted by EU Member States in March 2017, are central to this effort, as they set the EU’s overarching strategy to defend and promote children’s rights in the world.

Nothing about us without us

Children have the right to be heard in decisions which affect them. The EU is commited to promoting this right, including in its work with partner countries. At Plan International, we are well aware of the positive contribution children and young people can make when they are meaningfully consulted.

We are committed to working with young people to make sure their views and their voice is heard, because we echo their call of “nothing about us without us”.

#YouthTakeover: Leave no child behind

That’s why Plan International is partnering with EU Delegations worldwide to organise a global #YouthTakeover across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Throughout April, young people such as Ishmal, Joseph and Esther will take control of their EU Delegation's social media accounts, to share their thoughts on the challenges children in their country face, their potential as drivers of change, what needs to be done to protect children’s rights in their country, and much more.

Get involved and join the conversation

Ishmal, Joseph and Esther are just three of the young people who will be taking over their EU Delegation social media accounts. They all have their own views and their own messages to share. You can follow their stories on the EU Delegation Twitter and Facebook accounts of participating countries (see list below), or by following the hashtags #YouthTakeover and #EU4Children.

Retweet and share their messages, ask them questions, share your own views – make sure you join the conversation and help spread their messages far and wide, to raise awareness about what we all must do to help build a world in which every child is able to fulfil their dreams.

Participating countries