Girls and boys, representatives of groups participating in the project “Connecting the Dots – Improving Children’s Rights in BiH,” attended the session of the Council for Children of BiH.
They presented two initiatives to the Council aimed at addressing issues that affect them.
One initiative concerns involving children and youth directly in the work of the Council, so they can present the problems young people face and assist the Council in finding innovative solutions.
“We are ready to dedicate our free time and volunteer to contribute to improving the state of children’s rights in BiH, to serve as either an informal or formal advisory body to the Council, or to participate in regular consultations, offering perspectives from our point of view.” – Najda Hajdarević, children and youth representative, member of the Children’s Parliament of Novi Grad Municipality, Sarajevo.
Read the initiative here.
In addition to this, children and youth submitted an initiative to the Council for systemic support of a 24/7 counseling helpline for children, which they consider urgently needed.
“Problems are a natural part of life, and we don’t expect you to solve all of them, but we do need security and support. A counseling helpline for children is necessary for moments when we feel unsafe, even during the night, and it can be life-saving.” – Bobana Popović, member of the Children and Youth Committee, representative of the association “Nova Generacija” Banja Luka.
Read the initiative’s explanation here. Read the initiative here.
Networking, consultations, and the preparation of initiatives were made possible with the support of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the project “Connecting the Dots – Improving Children’s Rights in BiH.”
Alongside Najda and Bobana, the Council for Children also heard from young activists Ademir Sarić from the association “BAUM” Banovići, Merima Osmanović from the association “Trik” Kalesija, and Sajra Kustura, activist of the association “Naša djeca” Sarajevo, who presented project activities, conducted research, and achieved results.
