The enlargement of the EU is presently one of the most important challenges within the Union. The rights of the child are human rights, and should as such be given more attention in the enlargement process.
Children are full members of a democratic society and bearers of their own rights.
Prejudices and old attitudes have to be defeated. To respect a child and not to abuse a child is not simply a question of resources, but also a question of political and civil will. The transition in Central and Eastern Europe has had a serious impact on the society, especially on children. In Central and Eastern European candidate countries many children still live under unacceptable conditions, and for some children the situation has even worsened over the last years. Since 1995 Save the Children Sweden has worked, in collaboration with other NGOs, on bringing the rights of the child onto the EU agenda.