Left Behind – Brussels Conference: Jana Hainsworth

Biographical note:

Jana Hainsworth joined Eurochild as Secretary General in January 2006. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of the network, which brings together over 90 member organisations from across Europe to promote the rights and welfare of children. Eurochild is one of the key networks funded through the EU’s PROGRESS Programme for employment and social solidarity (2007-2013). It plays a key role in monitoring and influencing the EU’s social inclusion strategy and ensuring child poverty remains high on the agenda.

Jana previously worked in a Brussels-based communications consultancy where she was project manager for a communications contract under the EU’s Community Action Programme to combat discrimination. Jana also managed a network of organisations promoting long-term voluntary service in the youth field and has worked for several years in a research and consultancy firm on different technical assistance contracts for the European Commission. She has a Masters degree in environment, development and policy from Sussex University and an Honours degree in Natural Sciences from Durham University in the UK.

Abstract of presentation:

Setting the EU context

Eurochild is a European umbrella network representing almost 100 organisations across Europe promoting the rights and welfare of children and young people. The presentation will give an overview of the situation of children in the EU, particularly focusing on levels of poverty and exclusion and the impact of the current economic crisis. It will explore the EU political context, the opportunities and threats presented by the recently adopted Europe 2020 strategy and the direction the EU is taking with respect to its support to member states to exit the crisis. In particular it will look at contradictions in broad policy lines, notably the emphasis on inclusive growth and achievement of a poverty reduction target and other dominant discourses regarding fiscal consolidation and the single market. In exploring how this policy framework impacts on the phenomena on children left behind, the presentation will particularly look at two flagship initiatives : the platform against poverty and the communication on new skills, new jobs and mobility. Finally it will look at how mainstreaming of children’s rights into EU policy and actions could ensure children’s best interests are taken into account in future policy making.

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