Protecting children is not only a matter of public policy but a moral responsibility and a measure of society’s maturity, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said on Tuesday, addressing the Eurochild 2026 Conference in Paphos on behalf of President Nicos Christodoulides.
The conference, titled “Social Protection Systems”, was held in the coastal city as part of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Michaelidou said that while Europe has made progress, serious gaps remain in the protection of children. Preventive services are still insufficient, vulnerable groups continue to face barriers in accessing support, and coordination between education, health, justice and social welfare services is often inadequate.
She said the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must remain the shared point of reference, noting that it requires states not only to protect children from harm, but also to safeguard their rights to participation, development and non-discrimination. Social protection systems, she added, must be rights-based, inclusive and focused on the best interests of the child.
Referring to Cyprus, Michaelidou said children’s rights are supported by strong institutional frameworks, highlighting the role of the Office of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights and the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
She also underlined the role of schools as a key part of social protection, saying they are often the first place where signs of vulnerability become visible, whether linked to poverty, domestic violence, mental health difficulties or social exclusion.
Michaelidou said the European framework provides a clear direction, pointing to the 2024 European Commission Recommendation on integrated child protection systems and the European Child Guarantee. These, she said, call for stronger prevention, family- and community-based care, equal access to services and better coordination between sectors.
Cyprus, she added, remains committed to reinforcing preventive approaches, strengthening family and community support, and ensuring that all children have access to quality services.
The Minister also referred to the Cyprus Children’s Parliament, describing it as a structured platform through which children can express their views and contribute to decision-making.
Social protection systems, she said, must no longer rely mainly on reacting after harm has occurred. Instead, they should prioritise early intervention, invest in trained professionals, secure adequate resources and remove discrimination in access to services.
Michaelidou said Cyprus is ready to contribute at both national and European level to the development of integrated, rights-based and inclusive systems that uphold the dignity of every child.
Source: CNA
