UNICEF urges Dutch to consider their children when voting in parliamentary election

UNICEF launched its own election campaign on Monday: Vote for Every Child. The children’s rights organization hopes that parents and caregivers will consider their children’s voices. “Although 3.3 million children in the Netherlands are not yet allowed to vote themselves, their concerns and wishes can and should be considered in the voting booth,” UNICEF said.

Director Suzanne Laszlo called it crucial that children’s voices are heard in the voting decisions of their parents or caregivers. “Because when you talk about children, you automatically talk about their future and that of the Netherlands.”

The organization encourages everyone to talk to children about their concerns and “about the challenges they face and what they expect from politicians.”

In September, UNICEF commissioned research among 1,005 teenagers (ages 10-17). According to the organization, the results showed that 69 percent are concerned about war in the Netherlands. Seven in ten feel unheard by politicians.

The campaign features a TV and cinema video, video portraits of children, radio commercials, and posters. There is also a website with tips for talking to children.