ENOC meetings and Eurochild Roundtable February 2026

This week, Commissioner Chris Quinn attended an ENOC-Euro Child Roundtable event and his first in-person meeting as secretary at the European Parliament, in Brussels. Read Chris’s latest update about the latest outcomes and actions over the past two days.

Day one – Thursday 5 February

I had the privilege of representing Northern Ireland at the Eurochild–ENOC Roundtable ‘Joining Forces: strengthening cooperation for children’s rights in Europe,’ at the European Parliament. This was a significant gathering, hosted by Vice‑President Ewa Kopacz, aimed at strengthening cooperation on children’s rights across Europe. Bringing together Ombudspersons, EU institutions, NGOs, and child rights advocates, this roundtable is one of the most important platforms for influencing European child‑rights policy and practice.

During the discussions, I spoke about the urgent need to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law.

Without incorporation, children’s rights remain aspirational rather than enforceable. I highlighted how essential it is that politicians, policymakers, educators, children and families fully understand the context, purpose and contemporary relevance of the UNCRC, especially at a time when children are facing increasing pressures, from poverty and mental‑health challenges to the rise of anti‑rights narratives.

I also emphasised the continued and unacceptable levels of child poverty, and the need for a much stronger NI anti‑poverty strategy, ideally a stand‑alone Child Poverty Strategy, that is properly resourced, cross‑departmental, and outcome‑driven. We cannot talk about rights in any meaningful sense if children are growing up in deprivation.

The publication ‘Unequal Childhoods: Rights on Paper Should Be Rights in Practice’ provided an important evidence base for our discussions, underscoring how far Europe still has to go to ensure that every child’s rights are realised in practice, not simply recognised in principle.

Leaving the Roundtable, I was reminded again of the magnitude of this collective effort. Progress for children requires collaboration across borders, sectors and institutions, and I am proud that Northern Ireland’s voice was part of that work today.

Day Two – Friday 6 February

Over an incredibly productive two days, I had the privilege of taking part in my first in‑person series of meetings as Secretary of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC).

It was inspiring to come together with colleagues from across Europe, united by our shared commitment to strengthening and promoting children’s rights.

Throughout the meetings, we focused on preparations for the upcoming ENYA and ENOC events in 2026, and collaborated internationally on key areas that directly impact the lives and wellbeing of children. These discussions reinforced just how essential cross‑border cooperation is, not only for sharing expertise and learning from one another, but for building a stronger, more connected network that advocates effectively for children in every jurisdiction we represent.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to our dedicated Secretariat, Polina Atanasova and Clara Bataller, for their exceptional work in steering these meetings and supporting the network. My gratitude also goes to Flemish Children’s Rights Commissioner Caroline Vrijens and her team for so warmly hosting us and creating such a constructive space for progress.

Our engagements during this visit also included meeting with Eurochild President Tanya Ward, as well as representing ENOC and our respective jurisdictions at a roundtable in the European Parliament, a valuable opportunity to amplify children’s voices at the highest level.

I’m proud of the collaboration, energy, and vision shared over these two days, and I’m excited for the work ahead as we continue to grow, strengthen, and deepen ENOC’s impact across Europe.