Brussels, 28 January 2025
From 1 January to 30 June 2025 Poland is holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Every six months another member state takes the responsibility to chair meetings in the Council, aiming to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work and represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions, particularly with the Commission and the European Parliament.[1]
Last week, on the 22nd of January, Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister, presented the priorities of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
With its motto “Security, Europe”, Poland is focusing on safety of the EU citizens. Tusk highlighted the need for Europe to be united in the times of a “spiritual crisis” and putting hope in the “feeling of community” irrespective of represented parties.
Among the seven areas in which European security needs to be strengthened (external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health), Polish presidency calls for action towards strengthening the mental health of young people.
FAFCE welcomes the attention brought to mental health of children and online safety. Tusk highlighted the urgent need to protect children and young people from “from the harmful impact of what is happening online”. As he rightfully reminded, our future depends on the youngest – “they are our treasure”.
FAFCE has long advocating for the protection of minors online and stressing pornography as a public health issue, harming children, teenagers, men, women, couples, families and overall, the entire society.
Although Polish Prime minister highlighted the importance of power, he mentioned also ethics and morality as important pillars of European democracy. This, combined with “traditional democratic values” among which Tusk stressed the freedom of speech, places a certain responsibility on the Polish presidency.
FAFCE regrets that family was absent of the Prime Minister’s speech – even if family is the best place to learn how to live in community and solidarity.
Following Roberta Metsola’s quote of St John-Paul II “Future starts today” and Tusk’s words that our future depends on the youngest, FAFCE asks what can the EU do today to ensure a safe future for children and families?
You may find the full speech here.
For more information of the commitment of FAFCE for ensuring the safety of minors online:
On #SaferInternetDay, we reiterate our calls for digital safety
FAFCE welcomes extension of measures for a better protection of minors in the EU
PRESS RELEASE I FAFCE welcomes steps towards a better protection of minors in the EU
European Child Shield Platform publishes advocacy document
[1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/council-eu/presidency-council-eu/
