Children and Families

In many EU Member States families – and with them children – are at the highest risk of living in poverty. Fighting child poverty and breaking its intergenerational transmission remain among the most serious challenges facing the European Union. In the conclusions of the 2005 and 2006 Spring Summits the Heads of State and Government particularly noted that in pursuing social inclusion policy the Union and Member States should focus on child poverty and take necessary measures for its rapid and significant reduction, giving all children equal opportunities, regardless of their social background. The situation of children and families was an important issue in various Peer Reviews.