Choices matter - putting children's well-being at the heart of decision-making
The municipal and regional elections on 13 April are fast approaching. Social policy has predictably taken its place as the main theme of the elections.Electoral debates typically focus on the length of waiting lists for healthcare or the crisis in services for the elderly. Important issues, yes - but the welfare of children and young people should be of particular concern. Elections will determine the direction of services and well-being for children and families in regions and municipalities over a council term, for years to come.
The value choices made in policy-making have a particular impact on children at risk of poverty and exclusion. The growing malaise among children and young people is a broad societal challenge that requires attention. If not addressed in time, the consequences will be reflected in the well-being of today's children and young people throughout their lives and will be reflected in the economy of the state, municipalities and welfare regions.
The focus must shift to prevention
The effectiveness of services for children and families requires close cooperation between the municipality and the welfare region. The government's social welfare savings announced last week will also affect child protection, which will further increase the challenges. In an ever tightening economic situation, the focus of services must shift without delay to preventive and proactive support. Strengthening preventive services and child protection out-of-home care will reduce the need for costly child protection foster care services. Children who need to be placed outside the home must be guaranteed effective foster care in the best interests of the child. Welfare regions need to focus on foster care that produces well-adjusted, thriving young people.
Putting young people at the centre of decision-making
The recently published Youth Barometer shows that young people's own confidence in the future has plummeted: in 2008, 86% of Youth Barometer respondents were optimistic about their future, down from 61% in 2024. At local and regional level, the concerns of children and young people need to be heard, and addressing these concerns should be at the heart of decision-making. Children's and young people's participation does not happen by itself, but space and opportunities must be created for it in decision-making.
The well-being of children and young people requires work across councils
Finland is committed to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the European Child Guarantee. This means that municipalities and welfare regions have a duty to promote the rights of the child and to act in accordance with them. At local and regional level, there are many ways in which children and young people from different backgrounds can contribute to a more equal chance of a good life and future. More long-term work is needed to promote the well-being of children and young people across councils.Municipalities and welfare regions should carry out systematic child impact assessments in order to anticipate and understand how savings measures in particular will affect children.
Investing in the well-being of children and young people is a prerequisite for a sustainable and prosperous society in the future - this should be a key objective for every future councillor.
Maria Rytkönen
The author is an analyst at Blic. Maria specializes in children’s rights and has worked as a legal expert in a child protection organization.