Here you will see news from Europe, from civil society, from research, highlighting emerging trends from local to international level relevant for families of today.
A growing recognition of the challenges faced by care systems in the EU is leading to promising steps towards stronger support for family carers. COFACE is deeply engaged in shaping this agenda, advocating for comprehensive policies as outlined in its revised European Charter for Family Carers.
Leap assists families of children with disabilities to take action for an inclusive life. ith this vision and mission in mind, Leap has designed ‘The Leadership for Inclusion Series’ to provide a strong foundation to assist people with disabilities live meaningful lives in their communities.
Ahead of the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty on 17 October 2024, COFACE's member, APF France Handicap, highlighted the severe poverty affecting people with disabilities, with 2 million living below the poverty line for life.
COFACE member, The Single Parents’ Centre (Egyszülős Központ) and the Find Yourself Association organised a joint conference on the theme of single parent families and children with special needs. The event's main themes were the situation of these families, issues of education and work, and the related personal stories.
On the 20th of December 2023, the European Commission and the European Council reached a long-sought political agreement on the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. While the Commission described the agreement as ‘historic’, ivil society has widely criticised the Pact for its transgressions on fundamental rights, including providing for the detainment of children.
Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU. Despite progressive legal frameworks at the supra-national level, levels of protection for rainbow families specifically vary significantly between European states. Some countries provide adequate legal safeguards, while others lag behind, reflecting an ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.
The Council of the European Union approved the European Child Guarantee (ECG) to address and combat child poverty and exclusion (Council of the European Union, 2021). This report by Eurofound provides knowledge and information about the workforce relevant to ECG and to support Member States in implementing the ECG and reporting on the implementation of national action plans.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2024, COFACE Families Europe is calling on EU policymakers and employers to take concrete and effective measures to close the gender employment gap in the EU. Women’s participation in employment is significantly affected by motherhood, with negative consequences for their health, for families and the economy.
We can show kids and teens the path and we can even make it safer for them, but we can’t always be there to hold their hands nor keep them from going out into the world - and the world wide web. The environments that children are growing up in today are drastically different from the ones that we have known in the past. However, one thing is still the same: children and teens want to follow their curiosities, learn who they are and connect with other kids. Today they can do this from the palm of their hands.
