SP-Ludwig: “Education is and remains a key against child poverty and for a fairer future for our children.”

2023-09-10 13:38:04

Big Vienna tour on World Children’s Day

Vienna (OTS/SPW) – On the occasion of World Children’s Day, SPÖ Vienna regional party chairman Mayor Dr. Michael Ludwig and federal party leader Andreas Babler through Vienna. The tour highlighted not only the day’s celebrations, but also the social democracy’s deep-rooted efforts to focus on the welfare and rights of children. The mayor of Vienna emphasized how essential education is as a key to combating child poverty and called for further measures, in particular the introduction of basic child welfare.

Children’s rights and climate protection

Under the motto “Let’s save the world – children for the climate”, the Vienna Children’s Friends honored this year’s World Children’s Day as part of large family celebrations. Protecting the climate and children’s rights were the focus of the events.

SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler emphasized: “Austria is one of the richest countries in the world – yet one in five children lives in poverty or is at risk of poverty. That’s more than 350,000 children! Children living in poverty are more likely to live in damp apartments with mold, they are sick more often and feel less fit. We cannot accept this for a second! We must do everything we can to lift every single child out of poverty. We can do this with basic child protection. Children have a right to a good life and fair opportunities. All rights to all children!”

“The activities and events of the Vienna Children’s Friends show once again how much we value and promote the rights of children in our city. “I would like to thank all the employees and volunteers who give thousands of children and parents in Vienna a free break from everyday life,” says Ludwig. “With this year’s motto, the Kinderfreunde are emphasizing the important role of education and the active participation of our youngest citizens in questions of the future.”

Educational equality as a key against poverty

Nevertheless, the real challenges that children face should not be forgotten: “It is a sad testimony to our society that in one of the richest countries in the world, more than one in five children is affected by poverty and exclusion,” warns the mayor . „Education is and remains key. It is the door to social participation and enables a self-determined life.”

That’s why Vienna invests in the best education for everyone, starting from early childhood. Vienna is a pioneer when it comes to educational equality. With the fee-free kindergarten and the now over 100 free all-day schools, which promote the compatibility of work and family and strengthen social skills, the Viennese social democracy is setting new standards. With the introduction of free warm lunches for children in all-day care at all-day open compulsory schools, the increase in the limits for meal fee exemptions in kindergartens, schools and after-school care centers, new contribution limits in school afternoon care, expanded help for school events lasting several days and support in the purchase of teaching materials Vienna provides additional relief for families and thus counteracts child poverty.

Babler emphasized: “A good life for every child also includes equal opportunities for education for every child – regardless of the parents’ wallet. We must be able to guarantee children everywhere in Austria a free kindergarten place. And we need more integrated all-day schools where children have the best learning conditions. Vienna is a pioneer with non-contributory kindergartens and free all-day schools. Since this school year, the children in the all-day school in Vienna have also received free lunch – an important measure for the well-being of the children, especially in times of record inflation.” Kindergartens are free in Burgenland and, since the current kindergarten year, in Carinthia. The fact that childcare is free in all SPÖ-led federal states shows how important children and their education are to us – and also to parents, who can combine work and family with good, free childcare.”

SPÖ Vienna calls for basic child protection

Despite all the efforts and investments, and in the face of a growing social divide in which the top 1 percent of the population owns almost 50% of the net worth while the bottom half has only 2.5%, Ludwig is pushing for decisive action.

Babler added: “We will not rest until every child has access to good education, healthy nutrition and social participation!”

The SPÖ Vienna therefore joins the demands of Volkshilfe and SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler and advocates the introduction of basic child security: “Basic child security is more than just a tool against poverty. It is a step towards a fairer future for our children. On a day when we celebrate their opportunities and rights, we must also act to ensure children are given the best opportunities in life. Children are the designers of the world of tomorrow. It is our duty and our privilege to support and encourage them. As a social democracy, we work and invest for this future.”

Photos coming soon: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAUcq7

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