‘Children have shared how excited they are to spend time with their parents playing together.’
Currently working as a Communications Officer at COPE and the GWMD project, Naike holds a BA in International Relations and an MSc in Economic Development. She previously worked in communications for a Brussels-based NGO and an Italy-based European Agency. Passionate about creating positive change, she uses her expertise in communication to amplify the voices of marginalised groups.
What is your role at Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) and what does your work there entail?
I joined COPE almost one year ago and I work as a Communications Officer, where I focus on creating content for social media, website and newsletter.
Can you share a bit about your professional and personal background?
My academic background is in Political Science and my career in communications started early, particularly within European organisations and NGOs. I first worked at the European Food Safety Authority in Italy and then moved to Brussels to work with PICUM, an NGO advocating for the rights of undocumented migrants. These experiences have shaped my passion for implementing communication strategies that foster collaboration among organisations working toward a common goal.
What inspires your strong commitment to advocating for children’s rights?
My commitment to advocating for children’s rights comes from a deeply rooted belief in human rights. I have always maintained a focus on the most marginalised and vulnerable groups in society. Children, in particular, often face systemic barriers that prevent their needs and rights from being fully met and upheld. This realisation drives my passion to dedicate my career to advocating for their protection and empowerment.
What specific responsibilities do you have within the GWMD project?
When it comes to GWMD, my activities are also related to communications. I support with collecting information from the games and with content creation for social media, the GWMD website and the newsletter.
What does organising a project like GWMD involve?
Organising an initiative on a global scale like GWMD takes a lot of coordination and preparation work: securing funding, reaching out to COPE members to get more participants on board, create a clear communication and action plan, making sure everyone involved understands the main goals of the initiative and the importance of child safeguarding.
How have COPE members responded to the GWMD project? What feedback have they shared?
The feedback has been really positive! Of course, a GWMD event isn’t just a one-off day—it’s a months-long process, with a lot of prepation involved for both the children and their imprisoned parents. So it can be pretty demanding for COPE members. But the positive responses from participants make it all worthwhile. Children have shared how excited they are to spend time with their parents playing together. They’ve felt way more comfortable visiting prisons, compared to the usual sterile visit rooms. Even prison staff have noticed how meaningful these moments are for the parents.
