CHILD POVERTY : MEPS CALL FOR GREEN PAPER ON CHILD POVERTY.

• Position: Brief article

Sittinga in plenary session on 15 March, the European Parliament voted by a large majority to adopt an own-initiative report by Slovakian Christian Democrat Edit Bauer (Hungarian Coalition Party) on social protection and social inclusion.

With one in six Europeans living in poverty, MEPs mean to underline how important it is for member states to work together to combat its causes, notably long-term unemployment, poor quality jobs and a lack of skills.

Charter of children's rights

"The increase in child poverty and youth unemployment" are two problems Parliament feels must be addressed as a priority. MEPs are therefore calling on the Commission to put forward a Green Paper on child poverty "outlining clear objectives and appropriate measures for eliminating child poverty", and call for the drafting of a "Charter of children's rights" focusing on "achieving progress in...