Category: Children’s wellbeing

January 24 – International Day of Education

January 24 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Education, recognizing education as a fundamental human right and a key pillar of social cohesion, equality, and sustainable development. Access to knowledge is not only a means of professional growth but also a decisive factor in psychological resilience, personal identity, and hope for the future.

EDUCATION AND ILLNESS: WHEN LEARNING BECOMES SUPPORT

For children living with cancer or other serious illnesses, education takes on a special significance. International initiatives, such as hospital schools, have highlighted the role of learning in maintaining continuity of life during treatment. According to the World Health Organization, education for hospitalized children is not just about curriculum but also serves as a source of joy, normalcy, and psychological empowerment. Participation in lessons, interaction with teachers, and pursuing personal interests help children retain goals and envision their future, even under the strain of serious illness.

YOUNG ADULTS WITH CANCER: STUDIES, INTERRUPTIONS, AND RETURNS

Education is also a critical issue for young adults living with cancer, an age group often engaged in higher education, vocational training, or early career stages. International research shows that a cancer diagnosis during this period can lead to study interruptions, delayed completion, shifts in educational direction, and increased psychological burden. Studies from Europe and the United States report higher levels of anxiety, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future, while also highlighting that flexible educational structures and supportive policies significantly increase the likelihood of returning to and completing studies.

Yet there are also those who, through their experience with illness, redefine their priorities: pursuing new fields of knowledge, changing direction, or discovering previously untapped skills.

DATA IN GREECE

In Greece, there are no official data tracking continuation or interruption of studies for young adults living with cancer — such as how many students drop out, how many return after treatment, or the overall impact on their educational trajectory. However, it is estimated that the incidence of cancer in young adults is approximately 7.4 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, highlighting the unique psychosocial and developmental challenges this group faces. The lack of systematic data on educational outcomes underscores the need for further research and for policies that support young people in continuing or completing their studies when and how they wish.

Education at any age can serve as a tool for hope and life reorientation. Many individuals who have experienced cancer choose to return to learning, acquire new skills, change career paths, or invest in postponed dreams. Knowledge does not erase the challenges of illness, but it can provide meaning, perspective, and a sense of control during uncertain times.

At KAPA3, we recognize the importance of education as an integral part of psychosocial support. Through our participation in European projects, such as MELODIC, which focuses on the mental health of young adults with cancer, we highlight the need for holistic approaches that consider life, studies, and personal plans beyond the diagnosis.

The International Day of Education serves as a reminder that knowledge does not stop in the face of illness. With support, understanding, and appropriate structures, education can remain alive — acting as a bridge to the future and a reminder that life continues.

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Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

20 November – World Children’s Day

November 20 is dedicated to something fundamental, childern’s rights: the right of every child to grow up in safety, health, care, and dignity. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989—a text recognizing that children are not “small adults,” but individuals with unique needs and rights that must be protected in every possible way.

The day focuses on equal access to education, protection from all forms of violence and exploitation, health, social support, and children’s participation in decisions that affect them. Every year, international organizations like UNICEF remind us that millions of children worldwide still lack basic rights. In Europe, around 11% of children face severe material deprivation, while globally, over one billion children live in at-risk conditions, according to recent UN estimates. These numbers highlight that while progress exists, the path toward true equality remains long.

The reality in Greece
In Greece, inequalities affecting children remain evident. According to the Multidimensional Child Poverty Index by the Centre of Planning and Economic Research (KEPE, 2023), a significant proportion of children in Greece lack access to basic needs such as adequate housing, education, healthcare, and financial security. Additionally, UNICEF Greece reports that thousands of children face heightened risks of poverty and social exclusion, with vulnerable families disproportionately affected by recent economic pressures.

Within this context, one group of children deserves particular attention: children living with cancer. The disease affects their daily life, education, social relationships, and even their sense of safety and stability. Access to quality medical care, psychological support, and family assistance is not a “luxury”—it is a right.

Every child facing this challenge deserves an environment that respects their needs, supports recovery, and allows them to continue dreaming. Equally important is empowering parents, who often face extraordinary difficulties while caring for their child.

At Kapa3, we strongly believe that protecting children—especially those experiencing cancer—is a responsibility shared by all. That is why we stand firmly by them, promoting care, psychosocial support, and societal awareness. Every action, every piece of information, and every collaboration strengthens the network of protection that children deserve.

World Children’s Day reminds us that protection must be continuous. Through cooperation, knowledge, and humanity, we can create a framework where every child—healthy or ill—feels valued, heard, and hopeful for the future.

Sources:
• KEPE – Multidimensional Child Poverty Index
• UNICEF Greece – Child Rights & Poverty Data

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3