SOS Children's Villages International

‘𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?’   Millions of children around the world are separated from their families for reasons that can be prevented.    SOS Children’s Villages’ first ever Global Report on Children’s Care and Protection explains why and shows the way to a future in which every child grows up with the bonds they need to become their strongest selves. 🌟 Available now: https://lnkd.in/d78Sd2Jd Share the #ChildCareProtectionReport24 to join us in calling on governments and decision-makers for coordinated action. #InvestInCare #NoChildAlone #DayofCare

Have you already read our #ChildCareProtectionReport24? This first-ever research explains why millions of children worldwide are separated from their families for reasons that can be prevented and recommends the way forward to governments and decision-makers. 🔊 Share now: https://lnkd.in/d78Sd2Jd #NoChildAlone

'When I was still living with my father and siblings, I would play with my brothers and neighbors outside, even though it was dangerous. At night, my brothers and I were very scared, so we hugged each other to feel safe.' 14-year-old Adel is among thousands of children separated from their families by the war in #Gaza. 'What he doesn't say is how much he misses them,' says his caregivers at SOS Children's Villages Palestine. These drawings came from children in Gaza. They need a #CeasefireNow.

🎧 Podcast time! Our Global Programme Expert Group on #MHPSS has started a series talking about #mentalhealth and psychosocial support for children and families facing adversity. 🎵 Tune in for real-life experiences and specialist insights: https://lnkd.in/gc7-vs33 💡 Hosted by Pernille Hansen. Developed by SOS Villaggi dei Bambini - Italia in the frame of the Step-In ('Support through ethno-psychosocial approaches and PM+ for migrants') initiative. Co-funded by the European Commission’s #EU4Health.

4 in 10 girls in Ethiopia are married before turning 18. Forced into #childmarriage at 12, Zala now advocates against gender-based violence. 'At that age, you don’t understand what love or marriage are. But it was my father's will.' #NoExcuse #16Days #OrangeTheWorld 🧡

'I don't get why we can't have peace. We are all the same species.' The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is designed to protect children by promoting their rights: to life, survival, development, and protection from violence. Yet, 35 years after its adoption, millions of children are exposed to the horrors of war. Children around the world are #StompingforPeace. It's time for world leaders to listen. Spread the word about the campaign: https://lnkd.in/dswyJXpC #CRC35 #childrights

Yesterday we celebrated World Children’s Day at the European Parliament in Brussels. 🥳 The Child Rights Action Group, currently co-chaired by SOS Children’s Villages and Missing Children Europe, organised the event “Celebrating 35 Years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Hear from the Voices that Matter” in collaboration with Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Member of the European Parliament. 13 children exchanged with Members of the European Parliament, including Hristo Petrov (Renew Europe), ALESSANDRA MORETTI (Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament), as well as Emilio Puccio, Secretary General of the Intergroup on Children’s Rights on the topics of mental health, violence against children, online and social media safety, climate change and child participation. The panel was co-moderated by Tea, a child advocate from SOS Children’s Villages Croatia and included also the participation of Katariina, an 18-year-old youth advocate from SOS Children’s Villages Finland, who delivered a speech about the importance of online and social media safety for children and young people. The event was an important milestone for the Child Rights Action Group, represented by Lidia Giglio (SOS Children’s Villages Representative to the EU) and Aagje Ieven (Secretary General at Missing Children Europe) to present recommendations for theEU to advance the child rights agenda in the upcoming political cycle. One concrete outcome of the discussion was a statement signed by children, EU policy makers, including Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament) and civil society organisations, which commit to prioritize children’s rights and ask EU leaders to ensure children’s voices are heard in EU decision making. We warmly thank all the children, speakers and participants for their participation and for their strong commitment to ensure no child is left behind. 

🌍 470 million children are living through the horrors of war - in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond. The impact is devastating, especially for children who lose their families. As SOS Children’s Villages CEO Angela Rosales explains in The Guardian: “Children in conflict-affected areas are at risk of losing family care if their homes are destroyed, parents are killed, or they become separated when fleeing violence. They are especially vulnerable to exploitation, enslavement, trafficking, and abuse.” Around the world, children are #StompingForPeace. Their safety, care, and future must be a priority. 💔 https://lnkd.in/dy8qUHXN

As a result of multiple crises - from cuts to social protection to impacts of war - millions of children and young people worldwide are at risk of losing care and vital family bonds, which can lead to intergenerational harm. Our #ChildCareProtectionReport24 explains how to prevent this. Read the #WorldChildrensDay op-ed by President of SOS Children's Villages International Dr. Dereje Wordofa: https://lnkd.in/dfkGwBUX #CRC35

⭐ Celebrating 35 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Katariina from Finland spoke today at an event of the EU #ChildRights Action group (CRAG) alongside other children and decision makers. She also met with Li Andersson, the Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. 💡 Key topics of discussion included online safety for children and young people, mental health, addressing violence, climate change and #childparticipation. #WorldChildrensDay #CRC35