A Call for a Child Union

For a strong Child Guarantee and a Next Generations EU fund for Europe’s future generations

Within the European Union, even before the pandemic, 23 million children were at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The financial difficulties endured by European families due to Covid-19 as well as the disruption in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services have further strained an already perilous situation. 

That is why over 300 prominent figures from the world of politics, academia and civil society that have already signed this call.and invites you to join this call for a Child Union built on three objectives: 

1. A rapid entry into force of the European Child Guarantee
2. The development of an investments ecosystem for European children starting with a correct planning of the Next Generation EU funding
3. Guaranteed equal access to quality and inclusive early childhood education and care for all

You can sign this Call below and share the link with your network! The call is available in different languages on the website of PES group Committee of the Regions.

The Ventotene Lighthouse also invites you to sign this Call.

The Call

Within the borders of the European Union, already before the pandemic, 23 million children were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The financial difficulties endured by European families in this period as well as the disruption in educational and care services have added additional strain to an already worrisome situation. The public health restrictions brought about by the pandemic have made it hard for many to keep up with their education, leading some to drop out of school altogether. The inability to socialise with their peers has impacted children’s mental health. The consequences have been very unequal depending on socio-economic background, even as poverty has worsened.

The impact of the pandemic on children’s inequalities is uneven and alarming. For this reason, we call for a renewed effort of European Institutions towards attaining a Child Union, a union that guarantees equal opportunities to all children, and a prompt action to deliver on the Child Guarantee and on a Next Generation EU that truly works for Europe’s next generations.

There are little doubts that the fragility of Europe is the result of increased inequalities and a protracted undermining of welfare, which have made our society more vulnerable to economic, environmental, and, as we have seen, health crises.

Our children are the key to building more just and sustainable societies. Overwhelming evidence shows that inequalities in life chances are already formed in the early years of life and are largely passed on through generations. At present, many families with young children are without adequate support, and only half of EU member states have reached the EU objective of a 33% coverage for early childhood education and care (ECEC) below the age of 3.

The figures that EUROSTAT provides would be worrying even without the COVID-19 effect. In 9 countries, less than 1 out of 5 children enjoys childcare, and that is usually the one from a better off household. It is in fact worrisome that the take up of ECEC services is much lower among children from disadvantaged families, children with special needs, low income households and people living in rural and remote areas.

The figures that EUROSTAT provides would be worrying even without the COVID-19 effect. In 9 countries, less than 1 out of 5 children enjoys childcare, and that is usually the one from a better off household. It is in fact worrisome that the take up of ECEC services is much lower among children from disadvantaged families, children with special needs, low income households and people living in rural and remote areas.

In some countries less than 20% of these children are part of any kind of ECEC, compared to more than 70% among the top income households. A study led by FEPS and partners finds that European 0 to 3 years old children from the bottom 40% socio-economic status are about 15% more likely to attain average scores once teenagers, if they have access  to childcare at the age of 1 or 2. The study highlights that welfare provisions do impact children’s later education outcomes, whereas for instance where women’s employment rate are above the EU average and where both parents are eligible for parental leave, children from disadvantaged households can more easily achieve good educational results.  

This indicates that unless we provide quality and inclusive services, care and education in early years in Europe remains a means for children from better off households to achieve their best potential rather than a means to reduce inequalities and eradicate social exclusion. 

As progressives, we demand a systemic transformation: the end of ECEC as demand-driven service and the beginning of an era where it is an entitlement for every child. A legal and social right enshrined in European law, building on the European Pillar of Social Rights. 

The EU possesses the capacity for policy innovation and the political strength to facilitate a new era of support and development for all European children and to address such very stubborn trends of inequality. To this end, as progressive leaders, scholars and activists from across Europe, our vision for a Child Union is grounded on the following objectives: 

1. A rapid entry into force of the European Child Guarantee.

Many members of the European Parliament and the whole progressive family have called for a European Child Guarantee to tackle the multidimensional aspects of child poverty.

The Child Guarantee would ensure that every European child in or at risk of poverty has access to quality and free early childcare, along with health care, education, decent housing, and adequate nutrition. Negotiations are ongoing and all efforts must be made to ensure that the Child Guarantee becomes an integral part of EU policy. This includes a dedicated budget of 20 billion Euros and binding financing commitments for the Member States in their ESF+ national programmes. 

2. Develop an investments ecosystem for European children starting with a correct planning of the Next Generation EU funding. 

With children bearing the brunt of so much of the pandemic’s blows, the Child Union should become a fundamental pillar in Europe’s recovery strategy. This requires re-calibrating National Recovery Plans towards the care services of Europe’s future generations. 

An investment ecosystem for European children should build on the Child Guarantee, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Structural Funds and national resources to enhance the effective delivery of quality and inclusive ECEC services for all, with a special focus on the most vulnerable children and families. 

3. Guarantee equal access to quality and inclusive early childhood education and care for all. 

European law should ensure child rights and legal entitlements with universal and affordable public provisions for all and dedicated resources for disadvantaged and at-risk children. Promoting quality and inclusiveness are key priorities. This involves: i) providing teachers with decent salaries and training to equip Europe’s next generation with the 21st century skills they need to succeed; ii) strengthening children’s emancipation and their role as agents of change; iii) facilitating the involvement and participation of parents and communities; iv) capitalizing on the synergies that ECEC has with social protection and labour policies. In fact, to tackle structural inequalities as risk factors for children’s development, income support measures for children, active labour market policies, particularly for female employment; decent minimum wages guaranteed by law or collective bargaining, and adequate gender-neutral parental leaves are decisive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed new and dramatic challenges to vulnerable households. As experts, activists and policymakers we think that it is time to raise Europe’s ambitions and put forward this strong call for a Child Union. This expresses the demand to the EU to raise to the expectations of its citizens and ensure wellbeing not only through Banking Union, Capital Markets Union, Energy Union and other economic cooperation, but through a Social Union that has a strong mandate on the wellbeing of every child.

EUROPEAN POLICYMAKERS

Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on the European Child Guarantee and President of the Spinelli Group

Agnes Jongerius, Member of the European Parliament, Chair of the PES Social Europe Network

Victor Negrescu, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on the EU digital education strategy

Marc Tarabella, Member of the European Parliament and Mayor of Anthisnes

Sergei Stanishev, President of the Party of European Socialists

Iratxe Garcia Perez, President of the S&D Group and Member of the European Parliament

Zita Gurmai, Member of the Hungarian Parliament and President of PES Women

Christophe Rouillon, President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions, Vice-President of the Association of French Mayors and Mayor of Coulaines

Maria João Rodrigues, President of FEPS and Chair of the PES Economic and Financial Network

László Andor, Secretary General of FEPS and former European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusiveness

Klára Dorev, Vice President of the European Parliament, S&D Group

Alicia Homs, Member of the European Parliament and President of the Young European Socialists

Margarida Marques, Member of the European Parliament

Udo Bullmann, Member of the European Parliament

Elisabetta Gualmini, Member of the European Parliament

Estrella Dura Ferrandis, Member of the European Parliament

Massimiliano Smeriglio, Member of the European Parliament

Tonino Picula, Member of the European Parliament

Pau Mari Klose, Member of the Spanish Parliament 

Sylvie Guillaume, Member of the European Parliament

Ibán García del Blanco, Member of the European Parliament

Josianne Cutajar,  Member of the European Parliament

Rovana Plumb, Member of the European Parliament

Aurore Lalucq, Member of the European Parliament

Carmen Gabriela Avram, Member of the European Parliament

Csaba Molnár, Member of the European Parliament

Sándor Rónai, Member of the European Parliament

Attila Ara-Kovács, Member of the European Parliament

Isabel Carvalhais, Member of the European Parliament 

Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Member of the European Parliament 

Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament

Eva Kaili, Member of the European Parliament

Monika Beňová, Member of European Parliament and Quaestor

Juozas Olekas, Member of the European Parliament

Cyrus Engerer, Member of the European Parliament

Costas Mavrides, Member of the European Parliament

Isabel Carvalhais, Member of the European Parliament

Isabel Coelho Santos, Member of the European Parliament

Pedro Marques, Member of the European Parliament

Javier Moreno Sánchez, Member of the European Parliament

Paul Tang, Member of the European Parliament

István Ujhelyi, Member of the European Parliament

Alex Agius Saliba, Member of the European Parliament

Domènec Ruiz Devesa, Member of the European Parliament

Mohammed Chahim, Member of the European Parliament

Patrizia Toia, Member of the European Parliament

Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament

Pina Picierno, Member of the European Parliament

Heléne Fritzon, Member of the European Parliament

Caterina Chinnici, Member of the European Parliament 

Tsvetelina Penkova, Member of the European Parliament

Romana Jerković, Member of the European Parliament

Clara Aguilera, Member of the European Parliament

César Luena, Member of the European Parliament

Javi López, Member of the European Parliament

Nora Mebarek, Member of the European Parliament

Gabriele Bischoff, Member of the European Parliament

Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Member of the European Parliament

Adriana Maldonado, Member of the European Parliament

Carlos Zorrinho,Member of the European Parliament

Evelyn Regner, Member of the European Parliament

Predrag Fred Matić, Member of the European Parliament

Csaba Molnár, Member of the European Parliament

Bettina Vollath, Member of the European Parliament

Adrian-Dragos Benea, Member of the European Parliament

Manuel Pizarro, Member of the European Parliament

Biljana Borzan, Member of the European Parliament

Demetris Papadakis, Member of the European Parliament

Nils Usakovs, Member of the European Parliament

Andreas Schieder, Member of the European Parliament

Petra Kammerevert, Member of the European Parliament

Milan Brglez, Member of the European Parliament

Ismail Ertug, Member of the European Parliament

Mònica Silvana González, Member of the European Parliament

Cristina Maestre, Member of the European Parliament

Isabel Garcia Munoz, Member of the European Parliament

Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques, Member of the European Parliament

Miroslav Číž, Member of the European Parliament

Eric Andrieu, Member of the European Parliament

Hannes Heide, Member of the European Parliament

Roby Biwer, Vice President, European Committee of the Regions and Member of Bettembourg Municipal Council

Enrique Barón Crespo, President of FEPS Scientific Council and former President of the European Parliament

Ana Pirtskhalava, Secretary General of the Young European Socialists

Elisha Winckel, Vice President of the Young European Socialists

Sara Costa, Vice President of the Young European Socialists

Chiara Malagodi, Deputy Secretary-General, PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions

Christina Schauer, President, International Falcon Movement – Socialist Educational International (IFM-SEI)

Ellen Lindsey Awuku, Vice President, IFM-SEI

Jasmin Trogen, Presidium member, IFM-SEI

Ruba Hilal, Secretary-General, International Falcon Movement – Socialist Educational International (IFM-SEI)

NATIONAL POLICYMAKERS

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Former President of Malta and President Eurochild 

Concepción Andreu Rodríguez, President of La Rioja Region and Vice President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions

Elio Di Rupo, Minister-President of Wallonia and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Paul Magnette, President of the Belgian Parti Socialiste and Mayor of Charleroi

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the Parliament of the German-Speaking Community of Belgium and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Sandra Zampa, Undersecretary of State, Italian Ministry of Health

Pascal Smet, Secretary of State of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Urbanism and Heritage, European and International Relations, Foreign Trade and Fire fighting and Emergency medical Assistance, Government of the Brussels Capital Region and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Celso González, Regional Minister for Finance and Public Administrations, Government of La Rioja and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Juan Espadas Cejas, Mayor of Sevilla and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Rachid Madrane, Président du Parlement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale 

Antonio Mazzeo, President, Regional Council of Tuscany 

Virginio Merola, Mayor of Bologna and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Kata Tüttő, Deputy Mayor of Budapest and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Arianna Censi, Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Milan and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Karin Wanngård, Opposition Vice Mayor of Stockholm and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Elke Decruynaere, Deputy Mayor, City of Ghent

Luca Vecchi, Mayor of Reggio Emilia

Jelena Pavicic Vukicevic, Deputy Mayor, City of Zagreb and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Lambelin Anne, Vice Présidente du Parti socialiste belge, PS

Tom Jungen, Secretary general, Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party – LSAP and Member of the European Committee of the Regions, and Mayor of Roeser 

Jaume Bartumeu, Former Prime Minister of Andorra 

Agustin Zamarron Moreno, Member of the Spanish Parliament

Santos Cerdán León, Member of the Spanish Parliament, Secretary for Territorial Coordination and Government Relation for the PSOE and President of the Pablo Iglesias Foundation

Carmen Gayo, Director, Oficina Alto Comisionado para la lucha contra la pobreza infantil

Jernej Pikalo, former Minister of Education of Slovenia 

Martina Vuk, former State Secretary, Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs, Equal Opportunities

Lajos Korvìzs, Member of Hungarian Parliament and Chairman of the Social Committee

Tamas Harangozo, Member of Hungarian Parliament, First Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader MSZP

Sandor Szabo, Member of Hungarian Parliament

Ildikó Bangóné Borbély, Member of the Parliament, Hungarian Socialist Party MSZP

Tommaso Nannicini, Senator and Professor at Bocconi University

Lia Quartapelle, Member of the Italian Parliament

Kimmo Kiljunen, Member of the Finnish Parliament 

Katia Segers, Senator of the Belgian Senate and Member of the Flemish Parliament

Tero Shemeikka, International Secretary, Finnish Social Democratic Party, SDP

Anne Karjalainen, Member of the Kerava City Council, Member of the European Committee of the Regions the Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment and Culture (SEDEC)

Gustav A. Horn, Member of the Federal Executive Board of the SPD, SPD and FEPS Scientific Advisory Council

Cecilia Gondard, Secretary National in charge of gender Equality, Parti Socialiste

Miguel Carneiro, Mayor of Vila Boa do Bispo

Silvia Costa, Italian Government extraordinary appointed for Ventotene, former MEP

Christine Jung, City Councillor of Saarbrücken

Luca Menesini, President of the Province of Lucca, Mayor of Capannori and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Raffaella Curioni, City Councillor for Schooling and Education, Municipality of Reggio Emilia

Alessandra Medici, Local Councillor, Municipality of Guastalla 

Paul Sarrugia, President, South East Region of Malta

Aoife Breslin, Councillor, Labour Party of Ireland, and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Enzo Bianco, Local Councillor of Catania and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Heijo Höfer, Member of the Parliament, Landtag Rheinland-Pfalz, and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Vojko Obersnel, Mayor of Rijeka and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Krzysztof Matyjaszczyk, Mayor of the City of Częstochowa and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Vladimir Prebilič, Mayor of Kočevje Municipality and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Bayet Hughes, Mayor of Farciennes and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Javier Vila Ferrero, Director General of European Affairs, Government of Principality of Asturias

Manuela Bora, Member of the Regional Assembly, Marche Region

Reiner Zimmer, Member of the Parliament,SPD Fraktion im saarländischen Landtag

Marika Saar, Deputy Mayor of Elva municipality

Yoomi Renström, Mayor of Ovanåker and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Alison Gilliland, Chairperson Strategic Policy Committee for Housing, Dublin City Council, and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Jens Christian, Council member of Haderslev Municipality and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Mikko Aaltonen, Councilor of City of Tampere and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Dimitrios Birmpas, Member of Municipal Council, Municipality of Egaleo and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Guido Milana, Local Councillor of Olevano Romano and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Isolde Ries, Vice-President of the Saarland State Parliament, Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions

Alessandra Medici, Local Councillor of Guastalla

Othmane  Yassine, Local Councillor of Fermignano

Lieve De Bosscher, Director, Childcare Services City of Ghent

Niklas Kossow, Member, SPD Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

Edit Herczog, Member of the supervisory board, MSZP

Ilmar Reepalu, Chair of Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Guido Rink, Vice Mayor of the municipality of Emmen and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Filip Reinhag, Local Assembly, Gotland Region and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Per Bødker Andersen, Councillor of Kolding Municipality and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Samuel Gonzalez Westling, Vice Chairman of Hofors Municipality and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Pablo Rubio Medrano, Consejero Servicios Sociales y Gobernanza Pública, Government of La Rioja

Jakub Michał Kwaśny, Head of Tarnów City Council and Alternate Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Stavros Stavrinides, Municipal Councilor of Strovolos and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Jácint Horváth, Member of the local government, Nagykanizsa Municipality and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Mikkel Näkkäläjärvi, Member of the City Council, City of Rovaniemi and Member of the European Committee of the Regions

Stephan Durviaux, Cabinet Director, Presidency of the Parlement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale

Chantal Jacquemart, Emploi, Stratégie 2030, Formation, Cabinet of the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region

Albert Arcarons, Adviser to the Spanish High Commissioner against Child Poverty

Mariana Radu, Head of Division, Romanian Ministry of Justice

Mehnaz Aziz, Member of the National Assembly, National Parliament of Pakistan

CIVIL SOCIETY

Alfredo Sánchez-Monteseirín, Director, Pablo Iglesias Foundation and former Mayor of Sevilla

Mojca Kleva Kekuš, President of Društvo Progresiva

Liina Carr, Confederal Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

Mikael Leyi, Secretary General, SOLIDAR Foundation

Jan Willem Goudriaan, General Secretary, European Public Services Unions (EPSU)

Jesús Gallego, Confederal Secretary for International Policy of UGT Spain

Domenico Proietti, Confederal Secretary, Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL)

Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General, Eurochild

Thomas Jansen, Secretary General h.c., International European Movement

Leonie Martin, President, Young European Federalists (JEF)

Gabor Harangozo, Director, Institute for Social Democracy

Fernando Savater, Philosopher

Fabrizio Barca, Coordinator, Forum Disuguaglianze e Diversità & former Minister for territorial cohesion

Enrico Giovannini, Director Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development – ASviS

Christophe Leclercq, Executive Chairman Europe’s MediaLab and Founder of Euractiv Media Network

Cristian Fabbi, President at Istituzione Nidi e Scuole dell’Infanzia del Comune di Reggio Emilia and Senior Expert on early childhood education and care, UNESCO

Elizabeth Gosme, Director, COFACE Family Europe

Chiara Piccolo, Brussels’ Representative, Alliance for Childhood European Network Group 

Réka Tunyogi, Head of Advocacy, Eurochild

Chiara Saraceno, Co-coordinator, Alleanza per l’Infanzia

Claudia Giudici, President, Reggio Children Srl

Guillaume Klossa, Founder of EuropaNova & Civico Europa

Mathijs Euwema, Director, International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI)
 

Kaisa Vatanen, Director, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation

Fabio Porcelli, Chief officer, UIL

Jackie Jones, Former MEP, Wales Assembly of Women

Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Director, Defence for Children international Belgium

Chahida Bufraquech, Education Officer, UNICEF Belgium

Szűcs Viktória, President, Hungarian Democratic Union of Nursery Workers (BDDSZ)

Anastasia Papaprokopiou, Scientific Coordinator, Society for the Development and Creative Occupation of Children (EADAP)

Yakarah Attias-Rosen, Managing Director, Learning for Well-being Foundation

Martin Seeleib-Kaiser, Chairman, Jusos Brüssel

Eric Bloemkolk, Director, SOFT tulip Foundation 

Flora Bolter, Co-director Observatoire LGBT+, Fondation Jean Jaurès

Carolien De Groot, Directeur-bestuurder, Stichting Jeugd en Samenleving Rijnland

Rebecca Riess, Director, Le Furet Petite Enfance

Ulviyya Mikayilova, Executive Director, Center for Innovations in Education

Antonio Gaudioso, Secretary General, Cittadinanzattiva 

Gwendolyn Burchell, Director, United Aid for Azerbaijan

Daiga Zaķe, Director, Center for Education Initiatives

Flavio Brugnoli, Director, Centro Studi sul Federalismo

Anna Colombo, Political adviser, S&D Group

David Rinaldi, Director of Studies & Policy, FEPS and Lecturer, ULB- Institute for European Studies

Liana Ghent, Director, International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

Denise Deshaies, President, Neohumanist Education Association

Giorgio Tamburlini, President and CEO, Centro per la Salute del Bambino

Uroš Jauševec, Secretary General, Društvo Progresiva

Michal Rybacki, Policy Officer, Young European Federalists (JEF Europe)

Odile Harvey Mear, EU Correspondant, Radio Nord Bretagne – Radio Pays de Leon

Francisco Lontro, President, Ludotempo – Associação de Promoção do Brincar

Stephen Lintott, Group coordinator, Evergreen Elfins, Cambridge Woodcraft Folk

Hugo Alexandre de Araújo, International Cooperation Officer, Instituto de Apoio à Criança 

Klervi Kerneïs, Research assistant, Jacques Delors Institute

Azra Vrevic, Teacher, Elementary school

Lien Pattyn, Teacher, Artevelde Hogeschool 

Eric Battier, Mandataire, DIDR38

Helga Ramirez, Presidente, Association USDLI

Valentina Bezzi, Regional Director, East West Consulting

Iris Skrt, Member, Progresiva Slovenija

Admira Hrelja, Social worker, Primary School Hasan Kikić

Danica Mojić, Pedagogist, Kindergarten

Nedim Krajišnik, Deputy Director, Center for educational initiatives Step by Step


Carmen Lică, Executive Director, Step by Step Center for Education & Professional Development, Romania

Cornelia Cincilei, Director, Step by Step Moldova

Mihaela Ionescu, Program Director, International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

Agata D’Addato, Senior Project Manager, Eurochild

Serena Foracchia, European policy officer, Reggio Children

Gabriela Jorquera Rojas, Technical Advisor, Spanish High Commissioner against Child Poverty

Elisabeth Helander, Finnish Member of the Bureau of AIACE International

Boros Vilma, Fellow, Institute for Social Democracy

Olesya Kravchuk, Communications Officer, International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

Teresa Moreno, Communications Officer, International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

Konstantina Rentzou, Senior Program Manager, International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

Francesca Colombo, Senior Program Officer, International Step by Step Association (ISSA)

Almudena Hernandez Raboso, CEO, Clinica Podologica Hernandez  

Karleen De Rijcke, Coordinator, Kras vzw (Poverty Network Gent)

Anke van Keulen, Director, Bureau MUTANT

Matthieu Hornung, Member of the French PS and German SPD

Anna Kun, Member of MSZP

Katerina Nanou, Senior Advocacy Advisor, Child Poverty & Children in Alternative Care, Save the Children

Juhászné Katalin, MSZP

Ildikó Lendvai, MSZP

Katalin Devanszki, Hungarian Socialist Party

Nijole Dirginciene, Birstono  savivaldybė, Savivaldybes meras

Francesca Petrucci, Project manager, Associazione 21 Luglio

Ålvaro Ferrer Blanco, Advocacy Advisor, Educational Equity, Save the Children Spain

Michele Fiorillo, Civic Network Coordinator, CIVICO Europa

Giulia Contes, Delegue thématique, FBJS

Leonor Rodrigues, Researcher, ProChild CoLAB

Joyce Koeman, Diversity policy officer, KU Leuven 

Euléane Omez, Project officer for socio-economic policies, FEPS

Borbála Kajtárné Botár, MSZP Országos Pedagógus Tagoza

Giulia Loffredi, Parliamentary Assistant, Italian Chamber of Deputies

Eero Vuohula, Finnish activist and former EU official

Angelika Striedinger, Project Manager, Renner Institut

Ana del Barrio Saiz, Trainer-advisor Diversity & Inclusion, Ana del Barrio Training & Consulting 

Matevz Marc, Manager, ProcyonStar

Deborah McCahon, Chief Executive Officer, Woodcraft Folk

Maria Rosa Cremonesi, Principal, MIUR  

Maria Iacono, early childhood educator, Voghera 

Szeredi Péter, SZDI

Pádár Lászlóné, Tag, MSZP

Lieve Baert, Eversberg, Erembodegem

Isabel Sanchez, Trainee, European Parliament

Peter Kiss, MA student, Leiden University

Adela Dobrić, Kindergarten teacher, JU Obdanište Travnik

Vera Valsecchi, Communication, A.A.G Stucchi

Luís Guimarães, Student, ISCSP

Judit Rusznákné, Activist

Marco Rantino, Studio Tecnico Rantino 

Flavio Antei, Senior Sales Specialist, American Express

Borbála Kajtárné Botár, former teacher

Valentina Del Frate, Teacher, Italian Department for Education

ACADEMIA

Maria Herczog, Institute for Human Services (Columbus, Ohio), Lecturer at Eötvös Loránd University and Director of the Family Child Youth Association (Hungary)

Mathias Urban, Desmond Chair of Early Childhood Education, Dublin City University

Vivien Schmidt, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration, Boston University

Anton Henerijck, Professor, European University Institute

Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law, HEC Paris & Founder, The Good Lobby

Fabio Masini, Jean Monnet Chair on History of European Economic Governance, Università Roma Tre

Bea Cantillon, Professor, University of Antwerp, Centre for Social Policy Herman Deleeck

Christian Morabito, Senior Researcher, Save The Children Italia

Michel Vandenbroeck, Professor, University of Ghent

Elsa Fornero, Honorary Professor, University of Turin & former Minister of Labour and Social Policies

Maurizio Ferrera, Professor, University of Milan

Kalypso Nicolaïdis, Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford

Antonio Padoa Schioppa, Emeritus Professor, University of Milan

Amandine Crespy, Professor, Université Libre de Bruxelles

Sofia Fernandes, Senior research fellow, Jacques Delors Institute

Roberto Castaldi, Director at CesUE and Associate Professor, eCampus University

Marga Marí Klose, Associate Professor, University of Barcelona

Sofie De Backer, Head of BA of Early Childhood Education, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences Ghent

Francesco Corti, Researcher, University of Milan and CEPS

Emilie Carosin, Researcher, University of Mons

Robin Huguenot-Noël, Doctoral Researcher, European University Institute

Yekaterina Chzhen, Assistant Professor, Trinity College Dublin

Geraldijne French, Head of the School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education, Dublin City University

Maeve O’Brien, Professor of Human Development, Dublin City University

Jennifer Guevara, Rising Talent Fellow, Early Childhood Research Centre, Dublin City University

Laura Gormley, Assistant Professor,  Dublin City University

Claudio Cressati, Professor University of Udine and President of Informest

Emanuele Pavolini, Professor, Macerata University

Susanna Cafaro, Professor, Università del Salento

Guido Montani, Professor of International Political Economy, University of Pavia

Lara Navarro, Senior researcher, Barcelona Institute of Regional and Metropolitan Studies

Magnus Skjöld, Associate Professor, Bifröst University

Mario Telò, Professor, Université Libre de Bruxelles

Adriano Prosperi, Emeritus Professor  of Modern History, Scuola Normale Superiore

Alessandro Rosina, Professor, Università Cattolica di Milano

Antonio López-Pina, Professor of Constitutional & European Law, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Juan Manuel de Faramiñán Gilbert, Professor of International Law, University of Jaén

Giuliana Laschi, Professor, University of Bologna

Gino Roncaglia, Professor, Roma Tre University

Laura Leonardi, Professor, University of Florence

Stefano Amedeo, Professor, University of  Trieste

Paroula Naskou-Perraki, Professor,  University of Macedonia

Ludmila Petrashko, Professor, Kyiv National Economic University

Gurutz Jauregui, Emeritus Professor, University of the Basque Country

Federico Belotti, Associate Professor, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Ilze Plavgo, Research Associate, European University Institute

Veronica Donoso, Researcher, KU Leuven

Carmen Benavides, Professor, Universidad de Oviedo

Claudia Morini, Senior Researcher on EU law, University of Salento

Giovanni Trovato, Professor of Statistics and Economics, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Piero Graglia, Professor of History of European Integration, University of Milan

Ivana Borić, Associate Professor, University of Zagreb

Giuseppe Inturri, Professor, University of Catania

Mehmet Toran, Associate Professor, Istanbul Kultur University

Sara Lembrechts, PhD researcher, Ghent University

Idesbald Nicaise, Professor emeritus, KU Leuven

Tuba Bircan, Assistant Professor & Research Coordinator for Interface Demography, Free University of Brussels (VUB)

Eva Vens, Lecturer, HOGENT, University of Applied Sciences and Art

Margaret Kernan, Senior Programme Manager, International Child Development Initiatives

Gökhan Kayılı, Associate Professor, Selcuk University

Caroline Loscher, School Support Coordinator, Primary Department, DCU Institute of Education

Ine Hostyn, Researcher, Artevelde University College

Brecht Peleman, Researcher, Ghent University, VBJK Centre for Innovation in the Early Years

Ahmet Simsar, Assistant Professor, Aralik Üniversitesi

Benedicte Vanblaere, Researcher and lecturer, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences         

Valerie Mcloughlin, Administrator, EDC, Dublin City University

Graziano Pini, Responsible CRISE, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Unimore)

Antonia Pup, West University of Timișoara

Laura Anton, Public relations specialist, Spiru Haret University

Manuel Sarmento, Professor, University of Minho

Natália Fernandes, Lecturer, University of Minho

Kathy Uvin, lecturer, Arteveldehogeschool

Isabel Soares Professor, University of Minho, School of Psychology

Caroline Detavernier, Director Expertise Network People and Society, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences

Dusan Sidjanski, Professeur Émérite, Membre du Comité de direction, Centre de Compétences Dusan Sidjanski en Etudes Européennes, Université de Genève

Ilse Gentier, Lecturer, Arteveldehogeschool Gent

Joao Pinto, PhD Candidate, University of Minho

Emre Gömec, PhD candidate, University of Kassel

Ana Sani, Associate Professor, Universidade Fernando Pessoa

Goedroen Juchtmans, Senior Researcher Education and Labour Market, KULeuven-HIVA

Rasson Anne-Catherine, Maître de conférences & Researcher, Université de Namur

Anne Sénécal, Department of Methodology and Education, Université de Mons

Rita Alcaraz, Lecturer, UNIANDRADE

Alba Lanau, Researcher, Centre of Demographic Studies

Albert Julià, Professor, University of Barcelona

David Martinez de Lafuente, Researcher, Iseak

George Tsobanoglou, Full Professor, University of the Aegean

Marc Demeuse, Professor, University of Mons

Derobertmasure Antoine, Professor, University of Mons

Natacha Duroisi, Associate Professor, University of Mons

Sandrine Lothaire, Assistant, University of Mons

Marco Antei, Professor, Universidad de Costa Rica

Boyan Durankev, Faculty of finance, business and entrepreneurship, VUZF University

Maria Carmen Silveira Barbosa, Professor and Researcher, University of RGS (UFRGS)

Catarina Tomás, Assistant professor and Researcher, Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa and CICS.NOVA 

Heloísa Lins, Professor, Universidade Estadual de Campinas