01/10/2026 Children of Ukraine
A heartfelt appeal for peace and a wish to connect with the world marked the participation of children from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region at a meeting of the PACE Parliamentary Network on the Situation of the Children of Ukraine this week, on the margins of the Assembly’s autumn plenary session.
Asked how parliamentarians could help, one girl replied simply: “Please, we need peace.” A boy highlighted the importance of being heard: “Thank you so much for involving us. Communication is especially important to us now. We want to communicate more with the world.”
The warm exchange gave parliamentarians an opportunity to listen directly to the children’s hopes and priorities. Their words underscored the importance of creating opportunities for Ukrainian children to participate, build connections and help shape discussions that concern their lives.
The children’s participation formed part of a respite stay in Alsace organised by the Fédération Générale des PEP, with the support of Europe Prykhystok, in co-operation with the Kharkiv authorities and with support from French and German local and regional partners.
The Network also elected Carla Moonen (Netherlands, ALDE) as its Vice-Chair and presented its first fact-sheet on parliamentary action in support of Ukrainian children, bringing together key facts and recommendations to support members’ work.
