Berlin, March 13, 2025 – On the occasion of the coalition negotiations between the CDU/CSU and SPD beginning today, the five largest children's rights organizations in Germany are calling for a clear commitment to German development cooperation and humanitarian aid. "It is about securing the lives and futures of millions of children worldwide," states a joint statement from Child Fund, Plan International Germany, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages Worldwide, and Terre des Hommes . The organizations are concerned that the current discussion on security is limited to aspects such as defense, armaments, and infrastructure. "Considering security without the rights and protection of children falls short." What is still lacking is a clear focus on children and their protection and rights worldwide, especially at a time when Germany is facing increased responsibility due to weakening international alliances.
Children's rights are under unprecedented pressure worldwide. In a growing number of countries, children are being denied their fundamental rights to survival, education, protection, and participation. Girls, in particular, are disproportionately affected by hunger, sexual violence, and poverty in conflicts, wars, and climate change due to gender stereotypes. More than 473 million children now live in conflict zones – that's more than one in six children worldwide. This number has doubled in the last three decades, reaching an unprecedented level. It demonstrates the extent to which children's rights are threatened globally. This has dramatic consequences for their future lives.
As more and more major donors withdraw from development cooperation and humanitarian aid, Germany, as one of the world's strongest economies, must assume greater responsibility not only for its own security but also for international security. The five largest German children's rights organizations therefore expect a clear political signal for the protection and promotion of children's rights during this crucial phase of government formation. Future prospects for children can only be created through structural and sustainable investments. This requires an independent Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development with adequate funding to meet the needs of the world, as well as sufficient resources for acute crisis response through humanitarian aid.
Further demands on the negotiating parties include:
- Expenditure on human security, meaning support for children in particular through humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peacekeeping, must be included in the special fund. This is because human security is an essential component of a broader concept of security.
- The coalition agreement includes a clear commitment to the global protection of children. The future German government must provide targeted support for children in conflict zones and allocate the necessary resources. It should also ensure that those responsible for crimes against children in conflicts are consistently held accountable.
- The binding anchoring of the 0.7 percent quota in the coalition agreement. By allocating 0.7 percent of gross national income to official development assistance (ODA), not only is an international obligation fulfilled, but the foundation is also laid for investments in strengthening children's rights.