Berlin, 28 September 2021: In the joint declaration “Four years to finally eradicate child poverty!”, the signatory organizations of the Child Poverty Council, including the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association, call for poverty among children and young people to no longer be tolerated and for decisive measures to be enshrined in the coalition agreement. These include a fundamental reform of benefits for children, young people and their families, ensuring social infrastructure and their comprehensive participation. Children and young people also need intensive support back into their daycare and school routine and psycho-social support in coping with the effects of the pandemic.
Last year, the German Council on Child Poverty appealed to politicians to finally present concrete concepts with the necessary implementation steps to enable all children and young people to grow up well. Although politicians have not been idle, the measures taken so far are not enough: Poverty among children and young people is stagnating at a high level, with almost three million children living in poverty in Germany. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has further exacerbated the situation.
“It is a disgrace that so many children and young people are affected by poverty in our prosperous country,” criticizes Anna Ranneberg, board member of the HVD Federal Association for Youth. “Political decision-makers must take concrete measures over the next four years to put an end to this unspeakable situation! All children and young people have a right to equal living conditions in education and health, to the same social and cultural opportunities.”
The fight against poverty among children and young people enjoys broad public and cross-party support and must play a central role in the 20th legislative period that is now beginning. All children and young people have a right to a good upbringing!
The Joint Declaration of the Child Poverty Council is based on four principles:
- Poverty is not a failure of the individual!
- All children and young people have the right to equal living conditions!
- Every child is worth the same!
- Support must go where it is needed!
The full text of the declaration “Four years to eradicate child poverty once and for all!” and the list of signatories can be downloadedhere.
The Humanist Association of Germany has also been campaigning for many years for children’s rights to be included in the Basic Law – in a way that meets the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, the Federal Government of the past legislative period was unable to decide to include children’s rights in the Basic Law independently of parental rights. We strongly criticize the lack of decisiveness of the outgoing federal government. We take the political decision-makers at their word and call on them to finally put their words into action: In the answers to our election test questions for the 2021 federal elections, Bündnis 90/DIE GRÜNEN, the FDP, the LINKE and the SPD in particular promised to strengthen children’s rights and include them in the Basic Law.
