The Children’s Parliament of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo participated in a session of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo held on the occasion of the adoption of the Action Plan for Children of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo.
Representing the Children’s Parliament, Sumeja Karačić addressed the councillors, highlighting the importance of continued investment in children’s rights and participation, as well as creating an environment in which children’s voices are recognised and taken into account.
For thirteen years, the Children’s Parliament of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo has served as a mechanism through which children have the opportunity to express their views, needs and proposals and to actively participate in decision-making processes concerning their lives.
The Action Plan for Children of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo comes at a time when the Council for Children of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an advisory body to the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has adopted its Work Programme, which, under Priority 1, envisages the development of a methodology and guidelines for local action plans for children, as well as the development of a manual and practical tools for child participation. The results achieved by the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo in this area, together with the commitment of partners involved in the implementation of the “Child-Friendly City/Municipality” project, have contributed to recognising the need for the systematic integration of these measures at the level of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We consider it particularly important that the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo serves as an example of good practice in providing systematic support for child participation. Through research and questionnaires conducted by children, their views and needs have been incorporated into the new Action Plan, confirming that children’s voices can and should be part of the development of public policies.
We would like to thank the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo and all partners who contributed to the development and adoption of this important document. We will continue working together to create a community where every child has the opportunity to be heard, supported and included.
