Bringing European Parents’ Voices to the Global Stage

At the European Parents’ Association (EPA), our mission extends beyond European borders to ensure that the perspectives, needs, and rights of families and children are represented in global policy discussions. EPA is proud to hold Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since 2024 – a milestone that allows us to directly contribute to UN debates, submit policy statements, and advocate for parent and child well-being internationally. In addition, we are actively pursuing Consultative Status with UNESCO, building on a strong foundation of existing collaboration and shared projects in education, digital literacy, and human rights. Through these global partnerships, EPA connects grassroots educational experiences in Europe with international frameworks, ensuring that parents are recognized worldwide as key stakeholders in education and social development.

EPA’s Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC

Since 2024, EPA holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a formal status that enables non-governmental organisations with expertise in specific fields to contribute to the work of the United Nations. Through this status, EPA has opportunities to participate in relevant UN meetings and conferences, submit written statements, contribute to policy discussions and engage with international stakeholders. It provides an important channel for connecting the experiences and perspectives of parents across Europe with global policy discussions and ensuring that family-related concerns are considered in international debates.

The Added Value for Our Members in Europe

While EPA brings the voice of European parents to the global stage, this UN engagement directly benefits our members and families across Europe by:
  • Amplifying Grassroots Concerns Globally: Translating everyday challenges faced by parents and local school communities in Europe into international policy dialogues, ensuring that European family perspectives shape global standards.
  • Bringing Global Insights Back Home: Accessing cutting-edge international research, global best practices, and emerging trends on education, digital rights, and social inclusion, and feeding these insights directly back to our member organisations to empower their national advocacy.
  • Strengthening National Advocacy Leverage: Providing national and local parents’ associations with the backing of international frameworks and declarations, giving them stronger leverage when lobbying national governments and local policymakers.
  • Cross-Border Networking and Solidarity: Connecting European parent advocates with a worldwide network of civil society organisations, experts, and policymakers tackling similar educational and social challenges.

EPA’s Engagement and Contributions at the United Nations

Through its engagement with the United Nations, EPA seeks to advance several priorities that reflect its mission and advocacy work:
  • Recognising parents as key stakeholders in education: Promoting meaningful parental participation in education policies and decision-making, acknowledging parents as essential partners in children’s learning, development and well-being.
  • Protecting children’s rights and well-being: Supporting child-centred policies that safeguard children’s physical, emotional, social and digital well-being, while recognising the important role of families in creating safe and supportive environments.
  • Advancing digital inclusion and responsible technology use: Promoting equitable access to digital education, digital and AI literacy, and stronger safeguards to protect children and families from the risks associated with emerging technologies.
  • Strengthening family support and social development: Advocating for inclusive social policies, accessible care and support systems, and greater recognition of the role families play in building resilient societies.

Highlights in 2026

64th Session of the Commission for Social Development in New York

EPA participated in the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development in New York, contributing to an international dialogue on advancing social justice, addressing poverty and inequality, and promoting inclusive social policies and stronger care and support systems. The session brought together Member States, UN representatives and civil society organisations to discuss advancing social development and social justice through coordinated, equitable and inclusive policies. Discussions focused on poverty reduction, social inclusion, resilient care and support systems, and the importance of international cooperation in addressing inequalities.
EPA’s participation provided an opportunity to follow global policy developments relevant to families and strengthen its engagement in international discussions on social development and inclusive policymaking.

71st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW71) – 2027

In October 2026, EPA prepared and submitted a written statement for the 71st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, focusing on advancing gender equality in STEM education and the digital age. The statement addressed persistent gender stereotypes and inequalities that limit girls’ educational opportunities and participation in science and technology. It called for equal access to quality education and digital resources, greater opportunities for girls to develop digital and AI literacy, and stronger measures to protect them from cyberbullying, online harassment, gender-based violence and discrimination in digital environments. The statement also emphasised the essential role of parents in challenging gender stereotypes, supporting girls’ aspirations and guiding their digital experiences, while highlighting that responsibility for creating safe and inclusive environments must be shared among families, schools, governments and technology providers. Through this contribution, EPA advocated for inclusive, gender-responsive policies that empower girls, protect their rights and ensure that families are recognised as key partners in shaping educational and digital environments.
Learn more about our work with UNESCO