Vice-President Suica delivers an opening keynote speech via video message for a Ministerial Social Policy Summit in Kyiv, organized by ministries of labour and social affairs from Moldova, Ukraine, Sweden and Lithuania

VP Suica delivers a keynote speech via video message

Dear Oksana, dear Camilla, dear Monika, dear Regina,
Dear friends from Ukraine
Dear friends of Ukraine

I am so sorry not to be able to join you in person for this International Dialogue on Ukraine's Better Care Reform.

I join my co-hosts in welcoming you all to this high-level event which will enable us to develop a vision for the implementation of Ukraine's National Strategy for Better Care Reform.

It is encouraging that Ukraine wishes to draw on good global practices in childcare and protection systems, underpinned by an approach to explore strategies for enhancing collaboration and coordination to ensure the success of the reform efforts.

This would be a major task under any circumstances. But in the context of Russia's aggression towards the people and territory of Ukraine, this effort takes on a different meaning. A far more significant one.

You have our utmost admiration and respect for this.

We at the European Commission see this within the context of our broader commitment to stand by Ukraine as a beacon against aggression.

I salute Ukraine's resolve to remain steadfast in its dedication to adopting and upholding European standards.

This is why we are assisting Ukraine in rebuilding their care system through a child-rights approach.

From the European Union's perspective, it is important that the childcare and protection system reflects the obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Protecting children is a key priority. And I feel that it is my obligation to ensure that this is the case both in the European Union and in Ukraine.

The European Union is committed to ensuring the right of every child to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. One in which it can realise its full potential. Ukrainian children should have exactly the same prospects. Indeed, children all over the world have a right to aspire to this.

We can all agree that children returning to Ukraine must return to reformed, safe, family-based foster care or community-based care. Crucially, they should only return when circumstances inside Ukraine permit.
I welcome the strong commitment of the Government of Ukraine in this regard. This International Dialogue on the Better Care Reform will demonstrate how this must be a collaborative endeavour.

It will bring together entities from the central government, local authorities, civil society organisations, and various international partners, all of whom have the best interests of children at heart.
We fully support the objectives of this reform, which are the following:

1. Strengthen families and keep them together by investing in integrated services addressing their needs at the local level;
2. Provide family- and community-based alternatives for children without adequate parental care, as we are doing with our successful pilot project in Poland;
3. Create the right conditions for the return and integration of forcibly displaced, deported, and evacuated children;
4. Transforming those institutions into service providers to meet the needs of children and families;
5. Ensure socialisation and integration of those who leave alternative care.

The principle of the best interests of the child must underpin all our actions.
We have come together to drive positive change and meaningful outcomes for all children in Ukraine.

And this is not a one-off. I travelled to Kyiv a year ago to engage in the discussions that have led to various achievements, and which are exemplified by this event and the impressive resources that it has brought together. We are all committed to see this process through and to bear fruit.

In this vein, we welcome and salute your readiness, dear Oksana, and that of the Ukrainian authorities to engage in a reform of the current system of institutions for providing care to children permanently or temporarily deprived of parental care.

As announced by President von der Leyen during her visit to Kiev in February 2023, the Commission will support this reform process with a secured 10 million euros project to provide expertise and financial support to Ukraine to design and implement this reform.

Together with the Ministry of Social Policy and UNICEF we are establishing the Reform Support Office in the Ministry.

I am therefore particularly pleased to be able to announce today's signature of ten million euros in support to this effort.

I wish you success in your deliberations!