NEWS

The President: The Well-being of Bulgarian Children should Be a Guiding National Goal for Politicians, Civil Society Organisations and Society

High child poverty requires an adequate institutional response and real social integration, the head of state notes at a meeting with Eurochild President and President of Malta from 2014 to 2019.

The well-being of Bulgarian children must be a guiding national goal for politicians, civil society organisations and our entire society. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a meeting with Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the children's rights organisation Eurochild and President of Malta in the period 2014-2019, who is visiting Bulgaria to participate in a workshop focused on the possibilities for expanding the impact of the European Child Guarantee in Bulgaria. The meeting was also attended by George Bogdanov, Executive Director of the National Network for Children.

The implementation of the Bulgarian plan to reduce child poverty and social exclusion within the framework of the European Child Guarantee was the focus of the conversation. The financial instrument created by the European Union aims to ensure access to key services such as early childhood education and care, healthcare, healthy nutrition, housing, etc. for every child in Europe at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

The high share of children at risk of poverty in Bulgaria requires an adequate institutional response and real social integration, the head of state noted and pointed out that child poverty is a sensitive issue for our society and therefore effective and consistent actions by institutions are necessary. The President also emphasised that the funds for overcoming child poverty and social exclusion are significant, but the question is how to use them in the most effective way.

The lack of education and the social environment that influences the personal development of children were highlighted as key prerequisites for poverty and incomplete social integration during the meeting. Rumen Radev said that it is precisely good education that gives children the opportunity for better jobs, higher incomes and a higher quality of life in the future.