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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.

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Reflecting disability rights in broader European socio-economic policies

Reflecting disability rights in broader European socio-economic policies

Unapei brought the realities of people with intellectual disabilities and their families directly to the European Commission, and the need to consider them not only within disability-specific policies, but also across wider discussions on employment, social protection, economic participation and public services.

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Social protection for people with disabilities in Europe: The European Social Policy Network analysis of policies in 35 countries

Social protection for people with disabilities in Europe: The European Social Policy Network analysis of policies in 35 countries

The European Social Policy Network (ESPN), which supports the European Commission in monitoring progress towards EU social protection, prepared a Synthesis Report collecting the findings from 35 national reports. The Synthesis Report describes and analyses the conditions under which persons with disabilities aged 18 years and above have effective access to social protection.

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Gezinsbond says New Barcelona targets challenge childcare facilities in Flanders, Belgium

Gezinsbond says New Barcelona targets challenge childcare facilities in Flanders, Belgium

The European Union approved the new Barcelona targets for early childhood education and care. The Gezinsbond, a COFACE member organisation, agrees with the focus now also being on accessibility and quality of care. To achieve the goals, however, there is still much to be done and the Gezinsbond will continue to monitor the process closely. 

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Joint statement : One year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Joint statement : One year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

A year has passed since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, which has affected and displaced millions of children. Despite the international community’s repeated calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the plight of children and young people caught in this atrocious war remains with little end in sight.

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UNAF Spain acknowledges that the approval of the country’s new Law on Families is “a great step forward” but calls for “more ambitious” measures

UNAF Spain acknowledges that the approval of the country’s new Law on Families is “a great step forward” but calls for “more ambitious” measures

The president of COFACE member organisation, UNAF (the Union of Family Associations) Ascensión Iglesias Redondo, has recognised this Tuesday that the draft Family Law approved this by the Council of Ministers is "a great step forward" for "the protection and recognition of the rights of families in their diversity", but at the same time has called for "more ambitious" measures. 

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Kids eating lunch at school
In Czech schools, almost 30,000 families cannot pay for school lunch for their children

In Czech schools, almost 30,000 families cannot pay for school lunch for their children

In Czech Republic the number of requests for help providing school lunches for children from low-income families has increased dramatically. The W4W: Lunches for Children project, FEAD programme, and municipalities have all contributed to providing lunches to around 30,000 children, however the number of applications is expected to further increase to 20,000 in 2022. 

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