Berlin, 03/13/2025 - On the occasion of the coalition negotiations between the CDU/CSU and SPD starting today, the five largest child rights organizations in Germany are calling for a clear commitment to German development cooperation and humanitarian aid. "It is about securing the life and future of millions of children worldwide," says a joint demand by Child Fund, Plan International Germany, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages worldwide and Terre des Hommes. The organizations consider that the current discussion on security is limited to aspects such as defense, armor, infrastructure. "Safety without thinking the rights and the protection of children falls short." What is missing so far is a clear focus on children and for their protection and rights worldwide, especially in times when crumbling international alliances are more responsibility.
Children's rights worldwide are under an unexpected extent. In more and more countries in the world, children are withholding fundamental rights to survival, education, protection and participation. Girls in particular are most affected by gender stereotypes of hunger, sexualized violence and poverty in conflicts, wars and climate change. More than 473 million children live in conflict areas today - this is more than every sixth child worldwide. This number has doubled in the past three decades and has achieved an unprecedented extent. It shows how strong children's rights are threatened worldwide. This has dramatic consequences for their further life.
Since more and more large donors withdraw from development cooperation and humanitarian aid, Germany, as one of the most economical nations worldwide, has to take on more responsibility not only for their own, but also for international security. The five largest German child rights organizations therefore expect a clear political signal to protect and promote children's rights in this important phase of government formation. Future prospects for children can only be created through structural and sustainable investments. This requires an independent Ministry of Development, which is adapted financially, and sufficient funds for acute fight against crisis through humanitarian aid.
The further demands to the negotiating parties:
- Expenditures for human security, i.e. the support of children in particular through humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peacekeeping, must be taken into account in the special fund. Because human security is an essential part of an expanded concept of security.
- A clear commitment to use for the global protection of children in the coalition agreement. The future federal government must specifically support children in conflict areas and provide the necessary funds. It is intended to ensure that those responsible for crimes against children are consistently held accountable in conflicts.
- Binding anchoring the 0.7 percent rate in the coalition agreement. With the provision of 0.7 percent of the gross national income for the official development cooperation (ODA), not only an international obligation is fulfilled, but also created the basis for investments in strengthening children's rights.