Held on 11 November under the title From Declaration to Transformation, the meeting brought together 20 representatives of international organisations, foundations, research institutions and civil society to explore how to translate the Children First Declaration into sustainable public policies and tangible results.
During the closed-door discussion, held under the Chatham House Rule, Michelle Bachelet, Vice President of Club de Madrid and former President of Chile, emphasised the need to place children at the heart of governments’ political and budgetary priorities, moving beyond declarations towards commitments that endure beyond electoral cycles.
Drawing on her experience as Chile’s Minister of Health, Bachelet highlighted the importance of demonstrating not only the public health benefits of investing in children, but also the economic and social costs of inaction.
A central theme of the discussion was the role of high-level political leadership in mobilising government commitments, particularly to improve maternal and child survival and strengthen the protection of children’s rights, dignity and survival.
Participants explored the potential of engaging current and former Heads of State and Government as political champions who could facilitate dialogue with decision-makers and help embed children’s priorities in national policy agendas. This approach reflects Club de Madrid’s unique contribution as the world’s largest forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers, leveraging political experience and high-level networks to advance international cooperation.
The discussion also highlighted the need to recognise inequalities between countries. While some societies increasingly focus on emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, millions of children still face fundamental threats to their survival, health, nutrition and education.
Participants identified several priorities for action: stronger government leadership, better coordination among existing initiatives, sustainable financing and greater use of scientific evidence to guide political decisions.
The possibility of an international coalition was also explored, with an emphasis on connecting existing efforts, avoiding institutional duplication and delivering measurable results. The discussion underscored the importance of developing a clear political and operational roadmap.
Through this initiative, Club de Madrid and ONE aim to bridge the gap between international commitments and government action, helping turn global ambitions for children into concrete policies and lasting improvements in their lives.
