Child in the City congres
Video message by Mr André Rouvoet, Minister for Youth and Family, which was shown at the Child Friendly Cities conference, Rotterdam, 3 November.
Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, let me apologize for not being able to be with you in person. Over the coming few days, Child in the City is going to ask you to think about ways in which we can make our neighbourhoods more child friendly. As the Minister for Youth and Families, I do everything I can to support children and the families in which they grow up. The home should be a comforting and safe place, as should the immediate environment, the neighbourhood. Much of the responsibility for ensuring that this is the case rests with local authorities. It is for that reason that I consider this conference to be an extremely important event.
Although there already are many organizations that promote children’s interests in one way or another, calling for safer crossings or better child healthcare, for example, it is still too often the case that social interests are placed second to economic interests. You represent the knowledge and experience of many years. Making that knowledge available to local authorities can help them design our neighbourhoods in a way that addresses all interests. It will help them achieve the right balance between education, youth policy, spatial planning, the environment, welfare, sport, culture, and so on. Young people themselves also have a voice which must be heard. Our new Social Support Act offers the Netherlands new opportunities for public participation at the local level. And that participation will include the younger members of the public.
All children in the Netherlands – without exception – should enjoy a happy upbringing in a safe environment. All parents, even those who do not experience difficulties, should know that there is always someone on hand to help them should they have questions about parenting. This is why I am currently working on establishing a Centre for Youth and Families in almost every local authority area in the country. Larger cities will have more than one. These centres will be particularly ‘low-threshold’, with the various organizations involved in local youth policy on hand to answer questions about parenting and related issues, whether those questions come from parents or young people themselves. In short, they will offer ‘wrap-around care’. There could also be an important role for volunteers.
Through its ‘Heaven’s Playground’ programme, Rotterdam is trying to become a truly ‘child-friendly’ city. Indeed, it has been designated ‘European Youth Capital 2009’, and will emphasize youth participation and quality of life for all youngsters. Rotterdam will provide an example for other cities to follow, at home and abroad.
Change rarely happens overnight. It often calls for concerted effort over a long period. I therefore call upon you to combine your strengths and to share your knowledge. I am convinced that doing so will open many new avenues of opportunity. I would like to wish you a successful and inspirational conference, and I look forward to hearing the results in due course.